It is second time unlucky for a Thohoyandou-based Somalian businessman, Mohamad Abukar Sheiqow.

In 2013, at the height of protests against the mysterious killing of people at Tshisahulu outside Thohoyandou, Sheigow’s shop was looted and emptied by angry protestors. No one was arrested in connection with the looting and he lost all his live savings in the incident.

He solicited help from fellow countrymen, who organized stock to the value of R60 000 for him to set up another shop at Itsani, also in Tshisahulu village.

The shop he rented this time had previously been targeted by thugs on several occasions. In spite of this, he put all the stock in the shop and started trading. He had been operating for only four days when trouble struck once again. This time around, in the early hours of Thursday, unknown thugs struck and burnt down the whole shop, with all the stock inside.

Nothing was saved from the shop and all Sheiqow is left with is a bunch of keys for the shop. During this paper’s visit to the shop, angry morning customers who did not know about the incident were milling around the shop, not knowing where to go and buy their morning supplies. “This shop is very close to us and the prices are very reasonable, compared to other local shops. We have our own suspicions and we have no doubt the cause of all this is pure jealousy, which is working to our disadvantage,” said a resident, who did not give his name for fear of reprisals.

The distraught owner of the shop said he heard that the previous owners had been attacked and nearly killed by people suspected to be jealous shop owners. “I had thought that this would have ended when I took over the business, not knowing that I would also be targeted. I am really saddened that only we Somalian businesspeople are being targeted by thugs. Last year, I lost almost everything I had. I am just picking up the pieces, and now this. I am lost, and I do not even know what my next step should be as I have nothing left,” he said.

Sheiqow said he suspected local businesspeople who are jealous of his competitive prices and the clientele he had been building since his arrival.

Thohoyandou police spokesperson Major Mashudu Malelo said they had opened an arson docket. "We can confirm the incident, and that we suspect that the shop was broken into before it was set on fire. This forms part of our investigations and no arrests have been made so far," he said.