"Are our businesspeople really safe, or must we employ more security guards?" This is the problem of an Indian businessman, who was injured by a suspected thief when he tried to protect his shop. The incident has prompted many local businesspeople to examine their own safety measures.

Businessman Madina Ayob (27) was busy checking his stock at Madina Supermarket in Thohoyandou when he saw a Zimbabwean man appear from nowhere and grab a box full of brown covers.

"A truck had just arrived with stock and I was busy checking everything when the incident happened. This man just appeared unexpectedly and did not say a word. Initially, I did not suspect anything but, as fast as lighting, he picked up a box of brown covers and started running away. I shouted at him, but he continued running away without saying a word. Although the man was a fast runner, I gathered enough courage and followed him. When he realized that I was about to catch him, he immediately grabbed a brick and hit me on my head. I did not feel the pain at first, but I then realized that I was injured when I felt blood running down my face."

Madina says people in town then realized that something was wrong. "That was when they started running after the thief. They caught up with him and beat him up severely. He was rescued by fellow community members who immediately called the police. I had to seek medical attention as a result of the injury and later opened a case of assault against him, although he was arrested at the scene."

Madina says that he is concerned about the safety of businesspeople in town. "We have been targeted for a long time by thieves in our shops. This gives us sleepless nights because our property and our lives are not safe. This is a very serious concern and something must be done before it is too late."

Insp Nkanukeni Raedani of the Thohoyandou SAPS confirmed that Madina has registered a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against a Zimbabwean illegal immigrant. The suspect was due to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court at the time of going to press.