Barber’s car set on fire

Apr 07, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- The vehicle of businessman Azruddin Mohamed’s long-time barber, Victor Singh, was maliciously set on fire in wee hours of Sunday morning at his Providence residence on East Bank Demerara.

Another vehicle also belonging to the barber was damaged by the intense heat. Singh, who has served as Mohamed’s barber for over 20 years, was left in shock and disbelief by the incident. He said he has no enemies and is calling for an urgent investigation. Kaieteur News understands that CCTV footage from the area revealed that the fire was deliberately set by an unidentified person who approached Singh’s vehicle in a heavily-tinted car before igniting the car.

The incident took place around 03:00hrs at the Providence Young Professional Scheme, a gated community that is under the protection of Sherriff Security on a 24-hour basis. This malicious attack on Singh comes just hours after the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) failed to seize four luxury cars belonging to Azruddin Mohamed. The GRA is seeking over $900 million in taxes related to a 2020 Ferrari, a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, a 2023 Rolls Royce, a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster, and two 2021 Toyota Land Cruisers. The authorities’ attempt to seize the vehicles was halted after supporters of the Mohamed family surrounded the premises in protest. The public outcry over the GRA’s actions led to a court challenge, and on Saturday afternoon, High Court Judge Gino Persaud granted an interim injunction, barring the GRA from seizing the luxury vehicles.

In an emotional live interview on Facebook, with journalist Travis Chase, Singh recounted the events of that morning. Singh stated that around 03:00hrs, he woke up to a large explosion coming from outside of his home. He explained, “Normally on weekends, my kids come in the front to sleep with me and my wife. So, when they sleep; we leave and go in their room to get some space.” Singh continued, “Around 03:00hrs this morning, I woke my wife up and said that I’m going to my son’s room. She said, ‘okay I’m coming just now.’ When I go in the room, as soon as I lay down she, opened the door and as soon she comes in, I hear a big boom, a big boom. So I run out the room in the other front room to check on my kids. My kids were okay but when I pulled the blind and looked outside, I saw a big flame. Running back, I tell my wife, the Audi is on fire.”

Singh attempted to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher, but he discovered that the vehicle’s door had been left wide open when it was set alight. Despite the efforts of neighbours who rushed out with water buckets and hoses, the fire was too intense, and the car was completely destroyed. “I love my neighbours. They all came out, they tried with the hoses. My neighbours called the fire truck, and yes, their response was immediate, but the call was late, and by the time they arrived, the car was already in wreck,” Singh recalled with disbelief.

He also revealed that his neighbours reported hearing a car “kicked off with drastic speed” before the explosion.

Singh further gave details of the video footage of the incident. “I saw the video of someone parked before a truck there, they came three times and tried to start lighting and the car would not light and then whatever they use, they throw underneath the car and the car went up. “

When asked about the security company in charge of the area, Singh responded, “I don’t know if they are working.” The 48-year-old barber clarified that he has no enemies, saying, “I don’t create enemies. I do my work professionally, I don’t get problem with nobody, I live good with everybody.”  He called for a thorough investigation into the incident, asking, “Why me, bro? I live happy. I’ve got my wife, my kids… I live happy.” Kaieteur News reached out to Singh for further comment, but he stated that he was too shaken and emotional to speak at the time.

Mohamed reacts and questions security company

Meanwhile, Azruddin Mohamed, voiced his concerns about the attack on his barber. In a statement shared on the Team Mohameds Facebook page on Sunday, Mohamed questioned the effectiveness of the security company responsible for the protection of the gated community. “What is quite astonishing is that this area is a gated community, which is protected by Sheriff Security on a 24-hour basis,” Mohamed stated. “This security breach is something that should be investigated thoroughly to determine what exactly transpired this morning when a man in a heavily-tinted vehicle was caught on CCTV setting the vehicles on fire.”

Mohamed also questioned who might be behind the arson and the motive for targeting Singh. “Is it to drive fear? Is it to send a message? Or is it targeting people who are closely associated with us?” he asked. He further clarified the nature of Singh’s relationship with him and his family, denying any legal disputes or involvement in criminal activity. “Victor has been Mohamed’s barber—both for me and my father—for over 20 years. At no time has he been involved in any run-ins with the law or any skulduggery. He is a professional who provides a service to anyone and everyone who requests it.”

Mohamed expressed solidarity with Singh, noting that this act was part of a series of unusual events affecting people associated with the Mohamed family. “This new occurrence is just one of many strange things that have unfolded of recent, especially against persons who are closely associated with the Mohameds,” he said. “To my brother, Victor, we stand with you and your family—be strong and vigilant and always remember that the wicked will never prosper.”

Barber’s car set on fire

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