Bophelong tavern robbery: Killer apologises, then shoots victim

A jolly Sunday evening at a tavern in Bophelong near Vanderbijlpark turned into a tragedy when armed robbers stormed the tavern in search of money and killed a 55-year-old man.

Portia Nhlapo (38) said three men entered the premises through an old unused gate before commanding at gunpoint, the family who owns the tavern into their house.

Nhlapo said she and other family members were sitting on the veranda when two men ordered them inside the house at gunpoint. Once inside, they found a third man pointing a gun at her mother.

The men demanded money, which the family denied they had.

Nhlapo says her uncle, Simon Mofokeng, tried to rescue the family by attacking and stabbing one of the robbers in the shoulder. The robber retaliated and shot Mofokeng in the leg.

This caused Nhlapo to plead for her uncle’s life, promising the robbers that she would fetch all the money they had.

After handing over the money to the robbers, Nhlapo recalls how the man who shot her uncle apologised before pointing the gun at Mofokeng once more and shooting him two more times.

The gunmen fled on foot, leaving behind a critically injured Mofokeng who later succumbed to his wounds.

Nhlapo says the family is struggling with fear and anxiety.

“We are not coping at all. Everyone is jumpy. Perhaps knowing that all three suspects are behind bars will give us peace of mind,” she said.

Vanderbijlpark police spokesman, Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu said a case of business robbery and murder is investigated.

Mofokeng was laid to rest today (March 23).