#Xenophobia: ‘I helplessly watched everything perishing into flames’ – Nigerian Car Dealership Owner laments

A Nigerian Car Dealer based in South Africa is lamenting his losses as his business was literally set on fire during the September 1 Xenophobic attack.

Two car dealerships in Kaal and Jules streets were among those damaged, and over 50 cars were burnt at night.

The Sunday night violence reportedly escalated to Monday morning when more shops were ransacked by a mob of residents.

Nigerian car dealership owner Kennedy Orji estimated his losses as a result of burnt cars to over R3m.

“I sell used cars and 30 cars that were my bread and hard-earned investment were burnt to ashes and I don’t know why,” said Orji.

Orji said he was woken up by friends and security who alerted him that his car dealership was going up in flames.

“My heart broke as I helplessly watched everything perishing into flames. I’m lost for words and aggrieved because my own black brothers and sisters did this cruel deed to me.”

He said he had been in SA for many years and started the car-selling business from scratch.