Shoprite staff who were opening for business at the Langa Junction store on Sunday morning, came under attack by a gang of seven armed robbers who made off with R15 000 cash and cigarettes.
Two of the skelms are said to have overpowered a security guard before assaulting the manager and forcing him to lead them to the store’s safe.
It’s believed the gang were hoping to get their hands on welfare grant money as the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) delivers cash to Shoprite stores countrywide ahead of payout day.
The boewe struck at 5.50am. Two of the armed men entered the premises as one Shoprite worker arrived at the gate.
They overpowered the guard and tied him up in his security booth.
Five more robbers then entered and waited for the manager to unlock the store, before they pounced on him.
According to officials at the scene, the skelms beat up the manager and forced him to point out the safes, but the safe containing the Sassa funds was not opened.
They took about R15 000, cartons of cigarettes and the manager’s cellphone.
The men fled the scene in unknown vehicles.
Members of TSU Protection Services and SAPS Flying Squad traced the cellphone to the Pinelands area, where they lost signal.
AIM: Skelms wanted Sassa payout money at Langa store.
A TSU officer at the scene told the Daily Voice: “They forced their way in, gun-pointing the guard and tying him up in the hokkie.
“They then put on security uniforms just like his and, together with the scared Shoprite staffer, waited for the manager.
“Five more robbers were admitted through the gate when the manager arrived and he was beaten to the shop and the safe.
“These guys knew exactly what they were doing, they came for the Sassa money.
“The shocked staffer, who had a gun to her head through the ordeal, was sent home.”
The manager was said to have been treated for cuts and bruises.
SAPS’ Andrè Traut, confirmed the robbery: “The circumstances surrounding a robbery at a grocery retail store in Langa this morning are being investigated. Seven armed suspects overpowered security at the store and gained entrance when staff arrived at 5.50am. The suspects fled with cash and tobacco products and are yet to be arrested.”
Shoprite’s communications office did not respond to media enquiries.
The stand-in manager at the store confirmed there had been a robbery but that the shop was operating as normal on Sunday.