He said he and his wife were given R40,000 a month before deductions such as rent, inventory and other necessities.
Another employer, Emmanual Chidozie, who sells styling tools and hair products, said he woke up today having to tell his workers that he himself is looking for a job at the moment.
We don’t know when the road will be cleared and I don’t know when we will be allowed back into our stores. Will customers come back to shop after that? Chidozi said.
Chidozi said the experience he had yesterday will forever be etched in his mind.
“It was a normal day, it all happened so suddenly and left a lot of people with a lot of questions, including what to do from here,” Chidozi said.
Chidozie has a child and wife who also depend on him.
“The little I had [saved]I had to give it to my employees. I couldn’t just tell them to go with nothing. They also have families to take care of just like me and with us not knowing what and when this will be resolved, I couldn’t guarantee their jobs.
“I’ve known these employees for three years, so I couldn’t let them go. Like them, I now have to go and look for work to feed my family for now. This store is my family’s life.”