A Congolese entrepreneur in Melmoth, South Africa, destroyed her own salon equipment after being confronted by a group claiming foreign nationals cannot own salons.The woman, who is legally residing in South Africa, stated she was accused of being an undocumented Mozambican national, which she denied.The confrontation occurred days after she paid R12,000 in rent, leaving her worried about recouping her R120,000 investment in equipment.

She attempted to negotiate the salon's sale, initially valuing it at R120,000, but the group reduced the offer to R50,000, which she accepted, only for another man to propose R10,000.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions around xenophobia and business ownership in South Africa, with the group behind the alleged takeover claiming prospective operators must invest over R100,000 in renovations and equipment.The case underscores the challenges faced by foreign nationals in establishing and maintaining businesses amid rising xenophobic sentiments.