Lillian Gabaocwe, owner of a liquor outlet in Mohlakeng believes her shop is a sitting duck.
Every day she worries about falling victim to another armed robbery. This after her store allegedly was targeted around 6.20pm on Friday 26 June.
Gabaocwe claimed three armed men robbed her store that day. They allegedly fled the scene with stolen money, liquor and cellphones.
“Nonkumbuzo Ngxumze, our cashier and two other workers were on duty when three armed men entered the store. No customers were present. One of the three men went to the till, held a gun next to Ngxumze and told her to empty the till. The other man first took two six-packs of beer and then the staff’s cellphones and bottles of hard liquor,” she explained.
Gabaocwe said it was the first time in the one and a half years she has owned the store that a robbery took place. She did mention the previous owner had been robbed about three times. He even was covered with white paint and robbed at his residence, she claimed.
“They watch us, they know we move in and out the store with money,” Gabaocwe added.
Gabaocwe herself was hijacked recently and said the darkness of night makes it easier for potential robbers to watch their movements.
She added, “We are a very popular bottle store and come month end the customers queue outside the door. This is known as the Zulu Jump area, where a lot of crimes occur.”
Gabaocwe told the Herald these armed robbers pulled off the robbery in three minutes. She does not know if they had left on foot or in a vehicle. She claimed EPR has footage of the incident and chances are good these criminals will be identified.
Gabaocwe anxiously said, “When is this going to end?” Ngxumze, the cashier said she is fearful at work every day and since the incident she battles to sleep.
“I am scared … scared they will come back.”
The Randfontein Police is yet to confirm the above incident.
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