Shocked residents look on after a 55-year-old woman was shot and killed at an apparent robbery at the Worcester Shoprite
(Image: @Bosbeer on Twitter)
Shoprite manager killed during a robbery in Worcester
The community of Zwelethema in Worcester was left stunned after a Shoprite manager was killed in an apparent attempted robbery.
Shocked residents look on after a 55-year-old woman was shot and killed at an apparent robbery at the Worcester Shoprite
(Image: @Bosbeer on Twitter)
A 55-year-old woman was shot and killed in an apparent business robbery at the Shoprite in Zwelethema, Worcester on Sunday.
Update (4 June 2019)
Images of the suspected killers have been revealed by Bosbeer’s twitter account.
WANTED!! FOR THE MURDER OF SHOPRITE MANAGER IN ZWELETHEMBA WORCESTER ON SUNDAY MORNING… PLEASE SHARE ANY INFORMATION CALL 0860010111 @Abramjee @crimeairnetwork pic.twitter.com/OvWUQS4LZK
— BOSBEER /CAPE TOWN (@BOSBEER2006) June 4, 2019
Police are still on the lookout for the perpetrators and anyone with information on this crime, or any other for that matter, is encouraged to anonymously call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.
Tragedy at Shoprite Worcester
According to a report by IOL, the store manager was fatally shot after refusing to hand over the business keys to the suspected thieves.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the woman was approached early in the morning shortly after she had been dropped off for work.
“Three armed men perpetrated a business robbery and shot the victim,” she said.
Armed robbery.. ZWELETHEMBA, WORCESTER, WESTERN CAPE. A woman was shot dead earlier this morning at a Shoprite store. Shortly after opening. Armed men still on the run. Police on scene. @Abramjee @SAPoliceService @News24 #robbery pic.twitter.com/zUmqC3ag2a
— BOSBEER /CAPE TOWN (@BOSBEER2006) June 2, 2019
Support from the group
Shoprite has strongly condemned the incident and has promised to support anyone involved in any way they can.
“The Shoprite supermarket group deplores the escalating levels of violence and incidents of crime in its communities, preventing ordinary citizens from going about their daily lives in peace and conducting their normal business in public places, depriving them of their safety,” the group said in a statement.
“Shoprite expresses its sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of its Zwelethemba branch manager who tragically lost her life during an armed robbery prior to the store.
“We will also support the family and staff with whatever they require to assist them to recover from this terrible ordeal.”
Residents are afraid
In a frank assessment of the state of crime in the town, Worcester Community Police Forum spokesperson Russell Cupido admitted that there is a real sense of fear.
“We are afraid that it will keep on happening because there is no adequate punishment for the perpetrators,” he said.
“Police are doing their jobs but there is a fault in the follow-through with the criminal justice system.
“The fact that there are perpetrators in our community running around with guns is atrocious. This means nobody is safe to trade anymore as criminals are shooting in broad daylight.
“Crimes such as these must get punished. Criminals should pay with their freedom. The courts and justice system must ensure this.”
