LILLIAN AMOS
A Parkwood shopkeeper was left traumatised last week when looters made off with about R20 000 worth of goods and badly damaged his car.
A video of the attack is doing the rounds on Facebook and has been viewed over 118 000 times.
Mohammed Babu, from Bang-ladesh, said he knew about the Parkwood housing protest but didn’t think the shop, Bismillah Supermarket, would be affected so they didn’t close (See story on page 5).
“I was helping customers when a group of people came in the shop and pretended to be customers. They started grab- bing things and more and more came in and took goods,” said Mr Babu.
The shopkeeper’s Toyota Corolla parked in front of the store was damaged by the looters.
“When I closed the gates to the shop, the crowd turned their attention to my car”, he said.
The looters broke almost all the car’s windows, stole the spare tyre, wheel spanner and two cellphones that were in the car.
“What they did wasn’t right. I am upset because they didn’t have to do that. I have to pay to fix my car and we lost money. We are only trying to make an honest living and trying to take care of our families,” he said.
Mr Babu has been working at the shop for seven months.
“It’s not the protesters who did this. It’s the other people of Parkwood who took advantage,” be-lieves Mr Babu.
Parkwood resident Mariam Abrahams said those responsible for the looting must be held responsible.
“These people who looted the shop are giving us all a bad name. We support the people who were protesting for houses.
“Those who looted are criminals who took advantage of the situation. They’re giving Parkwood a bad name with their bad behaviour,” said Ms Abrahams.
Grassy Park police’s communication’s officer Warrant Officer Wynita Kleinsmith said they are aware of the incident and the video. “Our crime intelligence officers went to the shop but at the time the owner was not avail- able, up until today no criminal case has been opened at the station,” said Warrant Officer Kleinsmith.
If residents have information that can assist in exposing people involved in illegal activities, they can contact SAPS anonymously with details on 021 700 3940 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.