Bushbuckridge – A sweet tooth armed robber, who was shot dead earlier this week by a grocery store owner in Violetbank near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, has not yet been identified.
Narrating the deadly shooting that occurred on Wednesday, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Magonseni Nkosi said: “Two unknown males allegedly entered a foreign-owned grocery store where they bought cigarettes and sweets from the employee at the till.
“One of the alleged robbers drew a firearm and pointed it at the store owner.
“The store owner reportedly attempted to escape, but the armed suspect fired several shots toward the shop owner.”
Captain Nkosi said the grocer managed to return fire with his licensed gun and hit one of the robbers.
“The suspect was shot in his upper body. The other alleged robber fled the scene,” said the captain.
“The suspect was declared dead on the scene.
“A 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number was found next to the deceased. Both firearms were seized and will undergo ballistic testing.”
Captain Nkosi said a manhunt had been launched for the suspect on the run.
“The provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has already assembled a team of investigators to trace the other suspect,” said Captain Nkosi, adding that for now the dead robber remains unidentified.
