A security guard from Mapogo A Mathamaga was fatally wounded during a business robbery in the Tarlton area on Monday morning, 8 April.
Sergeant Carmen Hendricks, the Randfontein Police spokesperson, confirmed that a business robbery took place at about 9am on the R24, on a plot in Vlakplaas, Tarlton.
Also Read:
Security guard shot, seriously wounded
Herman Coetzee, operational manager of Mapogo A Mathamaga in Randfontein, confirmed that the deceased was an employee of their branch and that he was on duty when the incident took place.
“The police members received a call about a business robbery in progress at Tarlton Blue Bottle Liquor Express and Tarlton Supermarket.
Upon arrival, they found the emergency services already on the scene, and were informed that the security guard had passed away,” Hendricks said.
The shop-owners informed the police that they were robbed by 14 suspects who were armed with rifles and crowbars.
A group of eight suspects entered Blue Bottle Liquor Express with a trolley and demanded access to the drop safe, while the other suspects stood guard outside with rifles.
“One of the employees managed to press the panic button when the suspects went into the room where the drop safe was. Within seconds, they heard shooting outside and the suspects ran out to the front. They took cigarettes, an undisclosed quantity of whisky, two of the employees’ cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash,” she said.
A Mapogo A Mathamaga security guard arrived at the scene and was shot at by the suspects. The other suspects ran out of the shops and one firearm belonging to the guard was taken during the robbery.
Hendricks said that it was later found that the suspects had also robbed the supermarket of cash, cigarettes, airtime and one phone.
“The suspects fled in a blue Audi sedan and a white Hilux double cab with a canopy, with unknown registration numbers. The customers and employees that were inside the shop were not injured,” she added.
Major General Fred Kekana, West Rand District Commissioner, has sent his condolences to the family of the deceased.
