WOULD-BE ROBBER KILLED
Accomplices nabbed as they try to rob Bangladeshi ’ s shop
THE community of Thokoza on the East Rand is living in fear that the recent looting of shops owned by foreigners could backfire in the township.
This after an alleged robber was shot dead and another injured during a business robbery in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The incident took place at Intaba Nsimbi section in the township. Four other men were later arrested in the area.
A 39-year-old man who lives in the main house where the spaza shop is located was arrested for murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm after he allegedly opened fire at the robbers.
An unlicensed firearm which was allegedly used to kill and injure the robbers was recovered hidden inside the main house.
The six robbers allegedly cut a hole on the wall of the spaza shop using steel pillars and gained entry where Bangladeshi national Gias Udden was sleeping.
“They first entered into my bedroom, took cash and a cellphone. I fled to the shop and they followed me. I managed to go to the toilet where I screamed for help.
“I thought they were going to kill me and I screamed for help. I then heard a door of the main house opening and gunshots being fired. I remained inside the toilet until calm was restored,” said Udden.
Mxolisi Tetyana and Busi Masondo, who are renting out separate back rooms attached to shop, said they were awoken by sounds of the wall being drilled and a man screaming.
“I thought we were being attacked. My children were crying, thinking the robbers were coming to our room. A few minutes later, I heard more than three gunshots being fired from outside and we hid under the bed,” said Masondo.
A few minutes later, police responded and a dead man with bullet wounds was found lying in a pool of blood a street away from the scene.
Landlady Jeanette Mahlolo, 68, said she feared for her tenants ’ safety, while community leader Christopher Makiva feared for the safety of foreigners who owned businesses in the township.
“We are afraid that attacks could begin in Thokoza, and we plead for calm. If the situation could get out of control, we plead with all foreign businessmen to pack their things and leave,” said Makiva.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant Kay Makhubele said the four robbers were arrested for house robbery. Last month, parts of Gauteng were hit by a string of violent scenes when shops owned by foreign nationals were looted by townships ’ residents.
Six people, including a onemonth-old baby, were killed in the attacks which were sparked by the killing of Siphiwe Mahori, 14, allegedly by a Somali national.