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Every time a strange car with an out-of-town registration plate stops outside their shop or a group of men loiter in the shop for too long, people working in Grabouw’s CBD become anxious and fear for their lives.
This state of mind has become the daily norm for such people after a number of businesses in the area were targeted by armed robbers in recent weeks.
The latest incident occurred at 18:48 on Friday (19 April), when A-Z Mini Market in Main Road was robbed by three assailants who made off with cash, cigarettes, a cellphone and airtime.
Sergeant Abigail Naidoo, spokesperson for the Overberg Police District, confirmed an attempted murder docket was opened after a 20-year-old man was wounded when one of the suspects reportedly fired shots at the young man and a security guard of Agri Protection Services who pursued the fleeing assailants.
“A business robbery case is being investigated after three unidentified men robbed A-Z Mini Market of a large amount of money and airtime, cartons of cigarettes and a Huawei P60 cellphone.”
All three suspects’ faces were reportedly covered.
At least two of the suspects were armed, one with a silver coloured revolver and the other with a handgun. Naidoo said it was unclear whether the third assailant was also armed.
“The suspects fled on foot, running towards the taxi rank. One suspect was caught, but managed to free himself and run away after wrestling with the security official.”
Naidoo reported that the police received a complaint of a shooting at the taxi rank in the CBD at 19:00. “The officers found the victim sitting on a corner and was informed he had been shot twice in the right upper chest when fleeing suspects he and a security official of Agri Protection Services had pursued from the business robbery scene at A-Z Minimarket,” she said.
“The victim was transported to the Grabouw Community Health Centre for medical attention. This case is linked to the business robbery. The suspects are still at large.”
No arrests had been made in connection with the business robberies that took place at Tekkie Town, Choice Clothing or OK Furniture either.
Another business, located in Keerom Street, Grabouw, was robbed on Monday 15 April at 10:25. One of the two suspects reportedly pointed a firearm at the complainant while the other demanded money, which was found in the till. “The complainant managed to press the panic button after the suspects fled on foot,” Naidoo said.
The police appealed to the community to work with the police by sharing information on the spate of robberies by calling Grabouw police on 021 859 7700.
