Despair for fruit market owner after fire
It was discovered that stock worth more than R150 000 was destroyed in the blaze
Fifty year old Anash Bisoon, owner of the Banana Beach Fruit and Veg Market was left shattered after his business burnt down in Sunwich Port recently.
It is alleged that an unnamed man (who has since been arrested and released on bail) driving a white bakkie arrived at the stall, poured a flammable liquid and set it alight.
With the suspect released on bail, Bisoon is concerned that he may have fled to Germiston. However, police spokesperson Captain Zenzele Mpinge confirmed that the suspect is not on the run.
“The suspect was released by the court on bail and the case was postponed to March 16,” added Mpinge.
Having run the business for 10 years, after taking over from his father who ran it for 45 years before him, it was discovered that stock worth more than R150 000 was destroyed in the blaze, a figure Bisoon and his wife calculated.
“It breaks my heart that a person decided to burn this place, this was our only income at home. He might as well have just killed us.” he said.
However with assistance from the community, he was able to erect a tent next to the spot where his previous fruit stall was located.
However, the joy was short-lived, on Monday this week, Bisoon was served with a notice from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) to vacate the premises within 21 days.
“I am still trying to deal with everything, and now I have to focus my attention on this issue with the municipality. I received more assistance from the community than them,” he added.
According to RNM spokesperson Simon April, an inspection in loco (inspection where the best possible evidence is being obtained) was conducted last year by the relevant stakeholders and the municipality’s department of public safety issued a fine for contraventions on the site.
“After a while there was a fire that destroyed all illegal structures and the inspection conducted on February 11 revealed that the area was in an unsatisfactory state, as burnt materials will have to be removed by the owner,” April said.
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