A tuck shop owner and his wife were wounded and an alleged robber was killed during a break-in in Thembeni township last week Wednesday.

The couple were attacked while sleeping in their home, which they also run as a tuckshop.

KwaDukuza police spokesperson, Priya Nunkumar, said three unknown men entered the tuck shop after forcing open the door and removing the burglar bars.

The owner reportedly switched off the lights in the tuck shop, and then gunshots were heard.

“Both the owner and his wife sustained gunshot wounds as the suspects fled.

“When the owner switched the light back on, he found an unknown deceased man with a gunshot wound lying on the floor.

“It is believed he was one of the suspects accidentally shot by one of his comrades.

“Both victims received medical treatment at a local hospital,” said Nuckumar.

KwaDukuza police are investigating a case of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

A Thembeni resident who lives near the tuckshop said the incident was extremely traumatising.

“The shooting went on for quite some time. There were no screams, just people running around.

“I hid my children in the bathroom. It was very scary.

“A woman came out and asked one of the men why they were shooting. He simply told her to get back in the house as they were not there for her.”

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