MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A KwaNonqaba shop owner’s attempt to stop a robbery ended in the shooting of his brother - and the store’s cat.
The brother, who is the owner’s assistant, was shot in the arm on 11 June, which also happened to be his 36th birthday.
While he survived the robbery, the store’s cat did not.
KwaNonqaba Police Station’s spokesperson, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp, said two men wearing white gloves entered the shop in the Marikana informal settlement, near Thembalihle Avenue, at about 20:00 that evening.
Kapp said the men had initially asked for a lighter, but one of the suspects took out a gun, held the brothers up and ordered them to lie down on the ground.
The suspects robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones and cigarettes.
Kapp said as the two robbers were leaving, the owner allegedly jumped up and tried to stop them from leaving. He reportedly grabbed the one suspect’s gun, thinking it was a toy. Kapp said the owner realised the gun was real as he grabbed it, and fell backwards.
At this time, the second suspect pulled out another gun and fired a shot at the owner. However, the bullet hit his brother in the arm, instead, and then the cat, killing it.
Kapp said the brother was taken to hospital and has since been discharged. A case of business robbery and attempted murder was opened that night.
The following day, 12 June, one of the suspects, aged 27, was arrested. He is expected to appear in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court soon. Kapp said the second suspect’s arrest is imminent.
Kapp advised that when one is faced with a firearm, you should not attempt to disarm the person holding it, and do not approach them.
“It is a dangerous situation and can lead to the loss of a life. There is a notion that imitation guns are being used to commit crimes, and while this may be true in some cases, one can never know for sure. The public should not confront anyone holding a gun under any circumstances. It is not only your life at stake, by the lives of innocent bystanders,” he said.
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