The Northern Cape police have launched a manhunt after three armed robbers shot and killed a supermarket owner in Ritchie.
THE NORTHERN Cape police have launched a manhunt for three armed men who shot and killed a 28-year-old foreign national supermarket owner in Ritchie on Saturday night.
According to reports, the businessman was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money and cellphones before being shot in the head in the presence of his wife and child.
The three suspects, who were apparently all armed, entered the supermarket and held up the owner and customers at gunpoint inside the store.
They told the customers to lie down on the floor, before releasing them. They apparently then took the owner, his wife and their 11-month-old baby to a back room where they tied them up with tape.
The suspects robbed the shop owner of cash, cellphones and his car keys.
All three suspects then apparently fled the scene, however, one returned and shot the owner in the head in the presence of his wife and child.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said the police implemented a 72-hour activation plan and mobilised all specialised units to track down and arrest the suspects.
“The provincial SAPS Organised Crime Detectives are investigating a business robbery and murder after a 28-year-old foreign national business owner was fatally shot inside his supermarket in Ritchie,” said Kock.
“The incident happened on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at about 7pm, when three masked men entered the shop. The suspects threatened the owner and his wife with firearms. The men took them into a back room, tied up the owner, his wife and their baby. The deceased was shot and died on the scene and the suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash from the cash register.
“The suspects apparently fled the scene in a white Ford Ranger bakkie with GP registration plates.”
Kock urged anyone with information relating to the incident to contact the police.
“Anyone with information can call Detective Sergeant Stefaans Mangate on 060 963 6397 or SMS anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS app. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence,” said Kock.
“The investigation continues.”
