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Sharlene Rood, News24
A would-be bag thief was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Polokwane mall after the owner of the bag gave chase, pointed a firearm at the assailant and pulled the trigger.
The incident happened at about 09:00 on Monday, November 19 at Cycad Mall.
Video footage of the incident emerged on social media and showed the owner of the bag chasing after a suspect, who wore bright yellow trousers.
The man in the yellow pants had already opened the door to a getaway vehicle when he suddenly fell to the ground. As the getaway car, a silver Toyota Corolla, sped off, the man who gave chase picked up the bag and walked away.
In a second video doing the rounds on social media, the man explained to a small group of onlookers that he had been robbed previously.
"Last year they took it," he said. "Now this year, once more."
"They know me."
"The same thing happened on September 6 last year. My bag went away...I cried like a baby. I said to myself, last year I didn't have bullets, so I had to go and buy bullets last year."
Police are investigating the shooting.
In a statement, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the 58-year-old man was on his way to deposit money at an ATM when he was targeted.
Ngoepe said the man opened fire on a suspect who had grabbed his bag and was running towards a getaway vehicle.
The would-be robber was declared dead at the scene.
A case of theft out of a motor vehicle and an inquest into the shooting were opened for further investigation.
Police have launched a manhunt for four additional suspects and are still trying to identify the deceased.
