Ferndale High Student Robbed of iPhone and Stock in Business Scam

Randburg, South Africa

A promising young entrepreneur and matric student at Ferndale High School, Ruvarashe Mhlanga, was left devastated after being robbed of her iPhone and entire business stock by two women who had posed as potential clients.

Mhlanga, 18, had built a thriving small business selling perfumes and toiletries to support her family and ease the financial burden on her parents. The teenager, inspired by her older sister Primrose Mhlanga, had been working tirelessly to establish herself as a young businesswoman while balancing her final year of high school.

According to sources, the incident occurred when Mhlanga was contacted via WhatsApp by individuals who expressed interest in purchasing a bulk order of her products. Excited at the opportunity, she agreed to meet them at a café near Randburg Square.

However, what seemed like a breakthrough business deal quickly turned into a nightmare. As she presented her products, the two women suddenly turned on her—one grabbing her wrist while the other snatched her iPhone and the bag containing her entire stock. Before she could react, the thieves fled the scene in a car, leaving her in shock.

Mhlanga, who had used her phone to manage sales, track orders and promote her products online, was left traumatized and financially crippled.

Her sister, Primrose, expressed her heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing that their business was more than just a side hustle—it was a means of survival.

“I have always encouraged my sister to be independent, to work hard and to learn from every challenge. This has been a major setback, but we will not give up,” she said.

The sisters, originally from Zimbabwe, have been determined to create a better future for themselves despite financial struggles. Primrose, who was forced to halt her marketing studies due to a lack of funds, has been working to support the family while also growing their fragrance business.

The robbery has sparked concerns over the safety of young entrepreneurs who rely on online platforms to market their products and arrange meet-ups with clients.

Community members and local business supporters have since rallied behind Mhlanga, encouraging her to rebuild her business. Some have called for corporate sponsorships and mentorship programs to help young entrepreneurs like her recover from such incidents.

Mhlanga remains determined to rise again despite the setback.

“This was my dream and I won’t let it end here,” she said.

Anyone willing to assist or support the Mhlanga sisters in rebuilding their business can reach the editor at +27 69 771 9885.