Total Sports in Tzaneen Mall was robbed at gunpoint two weeks ago.
It is alleged that a group of five armed robbers entered the store, tied the employees and customers up and continued to rob the store.
Tzaneen SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Maurice Nkhwashu, told Letaba Herald that some of the robbers are suspected to be foreign nationals as their Sepedi was not fluent.
“The robbers are said to have spoken XiTsonga and Zulu fluently, but did not respond fluently in Sepedi.”
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The suspects entered the shop with firearms and forced all the employees and customers into the storeroom, tied their hands and feet behind their backs and forced the employees to open the safe.
“They then continued to fill three carry bags with cellphones and also stole an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be in the region of R20 000.”
At about 10:15 the suspects left the staff and customers sprawling on the storeroom floor.
This robbery comes just a few months after Total Sports in Tzaneen Crossings Mall was also hit by armed robbers. Sergeant Nkhwashu told Herald that it seems that there are similarities between the two robberies.
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“The suspects allegedly were using similar bags to those used during last year’s robbery. In both robberies the victims were all forced into the storeroom where the cellphones are kept. No more information can be shared due to the continued investigation,” Sergeant Nkhwashu concluded.
The shop was closed for the rest of the day after the robbery but it has since been reopened and operating at its normal trading hours.
Anyone who may have information that can assist the police is urged to report the matter to their nearest police station or alternatively call Captain Botha on 082 469 0931.
