Getrude Makhafola

Getrude Makhafola

A security guard's trip to the bank to deposit cash ended horribly yesterday when he was robbed and shot at point-blank range.

The middle-aged man, described as a friendly, hard- working employee, may not be identified until his next-of-kin have been informed.

He worked for the Pick 'n Pay supermarket in Rosettenville, Johannesburg - the same suburb where internationally renowned musician Lucky Dube was gunned down last week.

The incident happened at 11am yesterday.

Inspector Lorraine van Emmerick said: "The victim was going down the escalators to the bank to deposit the supermarket's cash when three men approached him, shot him about three times and took the bag containing the cash and ran away."

The shopping centre was closed for the rest of the day. A shop owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said he heard four gunshots.

"Three customers came running in and lay on the floor with me.

We thought someone had gone crazy and was shooting randomly. This is sad."

Police ar e studying CCTV footage to try to identify the suspects.