Durban – A suspected robber was shot dead by police and another was arrested following a robbery at a foreign-owned shop in Umlazi F-Section early on Wednesday morning, KwaZulu-Natal police said.
Two Ethiopians were asleep in their tuckshop when the pair broke into the shop around 2am, Major Thulani Zwane said.
Police were alerted and when they arrived, the robbers opened fire.
One of the robbers was shot dead when police retaliated.
“The second suspect was arrested and was found in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol with six live rounds of ammunition.”
The 19-year-old would appear in court soon to face charges of business robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
During this investigation, police also got information about another business robbery that happened on Monday in Umlazi F-Section.
“It is alleged that on (Monday) a 35-year-old Somali was at his tuckshop in F-Section when he was accosted by unknown men who threatened him with firearms, robbed him of an undisclosed amount of cash and fled.”
Zwane said the information led police to arrest three men, all aged 23, in connection with the crime.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni warned that police would defend themselves if attacked.
“We continue to warn the criminals that they must not attempt to shoot when confronted by police but rather surrender.”
