Shopper was killed in botched robbery

TWO Zimbabwean nationals, arrested for a botched robbery in which a shopper died at the Builders Warehouse store in Johannesburg, will appear in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

"They are facing charges of robbery and murder," police spokeswoman Captain Kym Cloete said.

Builders Warehouse in Sunninghill, northern Johannesburg, closed its doors yesterday after four armed men robbed the store. Two of them were later arrested in Paulshof and Berea.

Cloete said the police recovered three cellphones stolen from store employees during the robbery.

One of the employees told Sowetan that she had just arrived at work at 6.30am when she heard gunshots.

"All staff members use the back door on arrival and I was at the door when I received an SMS from my other colleague that I should not come in since a robbery was in progress," said the worker, who asked not to be named.

"Moments later I heard about six gunshots and knew we were under attack."

Brian Leroni, group corporate affairs executive at Massmart - which owns Builders Warehouse - said the robbery happened at 6.40am when four armed men confronted staff opening the store.

"The armed men forced the duty manager into the administration office at gunpoint and demanded that the safe be opened," Leroni said.

He said the manager was unable to open the safe because of strict security measures at the store and he was assaulted.

"They then left the store, and in what appears to be an attempt to secure a getaway vehicle, they confronted a member of the public who was parked (outside)," Leroni said.

"A scuffle ensued and it is with the deepest and utmost regret that we have to confirm that the owner of the vehicle was shot and fatally wounded.

"Trauma counsellors will be available to assist the our staff and members of the public who were present," said Leroni.