BURGERSFORT – Last Thursday just before closing time, eight robbers entered Choppies Supermarket. One of them cornered a security guard at the back of the shop, while two others held up the security at the door.
Ms Judith Magola, assistant manager of the store said a man grabbed her while she was busy at the scanner. “He asked me if my name was Judith. I thought it was a customer and I told him not to push me.
He then put a gun to my chest, told me I had to keep quiet and show him where the cash office was. I was frightened,” said Magola. After she complied with to the robber’s demand, she was ordered to unlock the safe.
“It is a drop safe and only the security company has the keys to it. After I explained this to the men, they shocked me with a machine they carried with them.”
The siSwati-speaking robbers sent all the staff into the cash office where they harassed some of them. “I think it was a planned operation. They chose a quiet time so no customers could interfere with their plans. Luckily they got away with only some cash-up money and no one was injured,” said Mr Rajesh Damodaran, manager of Choppies.
They apparently left the premises with cash, cellphones, bags and jewellery in two unidentified vehicles.
The group of seven men and one woman were not wearing any balaclavas. “The police are still investigating the incident. Unfortunately no arrests have been made, but we are certain that the culprits will be apprehended,” said Damodaran.
Choppies management would like to assure customers that safety is still its first priority.
“This was an unfortunate event. We have arranged with police to do rounds, especially at lock-up times. The security has also been sharpened.
No one was injured and we are taking extra measures to ensure our customers and staff are safe. Choppies is still a friendly store,” he concluded.
