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Would-be robber shot dead in botched store hold-up

Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

A policeman was seriously injured during a shoot out with would-be robbers who tried to rob a top chain store in Mokopane yesterday morning.

Three robbers entered Pick 'n Pay stores, pointed firearms at the manager and demanded he open the safe.

Limpopo police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Motlafela Mojapelo, said the robbers waited for the manager to open the doors at the back of the store. They then pointed firearms at him before forcing him to open a safe.

He said another manager arrived just as the robbers were pointing firearms at his colleague. The second manager managed to flee unnoticed and alerted the police.

"When police arrived at the store, they came face to face with the robbers and a shoot out ensued," said Mojapelo.

He said during the exchange of fire, a police captain was shot in the stomach. He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Mojapelo said one of the robbers was killed during the shoot out. The other two robbers managed to escape.

Mojapelo said they had launched a hunt for the men. He said from preliminary investigations it appeared as if the dead man was from Meadowlands in Soweto, but police had not positively identified him.

"We appeal to the public to assist us with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of the other suspects," said Mojapelo.

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