News24.com | Spaza shop owner and another man shot dead during robbery

Two people were killed in a robbery at a spaza shop near Lydenburg, Mpumalanga.

• Two people were shot dead during a robbery at a spaza shop in Lydenburg.
• One of the men appeared to have attempted to flee after being shot, but he collapsed and died.
• The shopkeeper was transported to hospital but succumbed to his wounds.

Gunmen shot dead a spaza shop owner and another man near Lydenburg, Mpumalanga.

Police officers responded to a report of a shooting at a spaza shop in Shushumela on Tuesday. They found four cartridges, but there was no one at the scene.

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They then found the first victim – a 35-year-old man – next to a shack near the spaza shop.

"It is alleged that the victim was shot by the suspects, and he apparently tried to run for his life but lost consciousness not far from where he was shot," said police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

"Medical practitioners were called to the scene, and upon arrival they, unfortunately, declared him dead," Mohlala added.

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It was unclear if the man was a customer at the shop or a passer-by, said Mohlala.

While on the scene, officers were alerted by a nearby hospital that a man with gunshot wounds had died at the facility. Police then established that the man was the owner of the spaza shop.

Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, described the incident as a "heinous act".

"Men and women in blue will not rest until those responsible are brought to book and the firearms are recovered," said Manamela.

Police urge anyone with information to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or send information on the My SAPS app.