A Phoenix hair studio was badly damaged in an alleged petrol‑bomb attack in the early hours of Thursday, the owner said, leaving him facing roughly R175,000 in losses and a second security incident in a month. Police are investigating the blaze and the circumstances remain unclear.
Owner says business rivalry is suspected motive
The salon, King ZZ Barber and Salon on Lenham Drive, was discovered burning after an alarm triggered just after 1:30am, owner Moon Subhari, 32, of Izinga Ridge in Umhlanga, said. He arrived at the scene about 2:30am to find emergency services, the local security firm and police attending to a smoke‑filled interior.
“When I see the damages, I feel like crying. I worked so hard to build this business. I opened my salon in September,” Subhari said.
Subhari told reporters he did not believe the incident was motivated by xenophobia, despite being originally from Pakistan and married to a South African. Instead, he suspects a competing business may be responsible because his shop had been doing well since opening.
Damage, prior burglary and response
The owner estimated the cost of damage at R175,000. He also reported a burglary on 23 September in which hair straighteners, dryers and stock items were stolen. At the scene after the fire, a mirror was defaced with expletives, according to the reporting.
Garreth Naidoo, a spokesperson for KZN VIP Protection Services, said response officers saw heavy smoke on arrival and that it was suspected someone threw a petrol bomb through the door after jumping over a perimeter wall. The exact events are still under investigation by police.
Next steps for the business and the community
Despite the setback, Subhari said he plans to reopen and rebuild from Monday. He expressed determination to continue operating and rebuilding the business he launched only weeks earlier.
- Estimated loss: R175,000 (owner’s estimate)
- Previous incident: Burglary on 23 September — equipment and stock stolen
- Response: Security company, fire department and SAPS attended; investigation ongoing
The incident highlights the vulnerability of small and micro enterprises: newly opened shops often operate on tight margins and a single destructive event can erode the capital invested in fittings, stock and equipment. For many small‑business owners, insurance may be limited or unaffordable, increasing the likelihood that they must rely on savings, loans from family or informal lenders to recover.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Business | King ZZ Barber and Salon, Lenham Drive, Phoenix |
| Owner | Moon Subhari, 32, Izinga Ridge |
| Estimated damage | R175,000 |
| Previous incident | Burglary, 23 September — equipment stolen |
Police in the area have been informed and are investigating the attack. The local community and security providers assisted at the scene. The reporting also noted a separate police inquiry in the broader Durban area into the stabbing of a shopkeeper in Malvern, though that matter is distinct from the Phoenix incident.
For small‑business owners and households, the economic implications are immediate: lost revenue during closure, the cost of repairs and replacement equipment, and the possible need for additional security measures. The owner’s intention to rebuild quickly will be welcomed by customers and staff, but recovery will depend on available capital and any assistance from insurers or community support.
WE NEWS does not provide financial advice. The SAPS and local security firms continue to investigate; no arrests have been reported in connection with the Phoenix petrol‑bombing as of the latest reporting.
