Patron ‘shot at’ in shop

A New Brighton spaza shop owner allegedly tried to shoot a customer after the man claimed he was shortchanged by R9 after buying airtime.

The incident happened at about 9.20pm on Tuesday when the customer went to the Zama Zama spaza shop in Tshewu Street.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said the 26-yearold shop owner had assisted the customer, who paid R40 for R25 worth of airtime.

“According to the customer, he was shortchanged. An argument ensued, resulting in the shop owner pulling out a firearm and firing a shot at the customer. The man fled the shop and alerted the police.

“Police arrived at the shop and searched the premises, where they found a 7.65mm pistol, which was loaded with five rounds of ammunition.”

No one had been injured in the shooting, Beetge said.

“The man was arrested. The serial number of the firearm had been filed off.

“The firearm has been sent to the ballistics laboratory for testing to establish if it is connected to any other crimes.”

The man is due to appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court today for attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

This was the second incident in a month in which a shop owner allegedly fired at a customer during an argument.

Two weeks ago, two shopkeepers were arrested after allegedly trying to shoot a customer in Kwazakhele.