Four balaclava-clad men armed with firearms stormed a grocery retailer in Xola Naledi, Grabouw, at closing time on Wednesday evening (16 September), shooting a security guard and fleeing with cash registers and cigarettes.

Grabouw police have registered a business robbery case following the incident, which took place at approximately 18:24 on Wednesday 16 September at a grocery retailer in Dzhivhuho Street.

According to police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk, the four suspects — with their faces covered with balaclavas — ran into the shop as the security guard was closing the door.

“The suspects shot at the guard and he sustained a gunshot wound to his left hand. The suspects then took three cash registers filled with an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes and fled the scene in an unknown direction.”

The wounded security guard was taken to a nearby medical facility, but the extent of his injuries had not been disclosed at the time of posting. Van Wyk confirmed investigations were continuing and no arrests had been made.

Anyone with information on the incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS mobile application, anonymously.

Closing time is prime time for robbers; here’s how to protect your business

Wednesday’s incident is a stark reminder that closing time is one of the most vulnerable moments for any business. Police and security experts constantly urge retailers to treat robbery as a real possibility and plan accordingly.

The following practical tips are drawn from the police guidance and security industry recommendations:

* Never open or close alone. Have at least two employees present.

* Vary your opening and closing times so would-be robbers cannot predict your routine.

* Before closing ensure no-one is hiding on the premises. Inspect the store for signs of forced entry when opening.

* Assign a staff member with a panic button to monitor the opening and closing process from a safe distance.

Cash management:

* Keep minimal cash on the premises and bank regularly.

* Vary the days and times you deposit cash. Never make your banking routine public.

* Do not openly display cash in tills or while queuing at the bank.

* If cash volumes are growing, consider using a cash-in-transit service.

* Empty tills of excess cash throughout the day and drop it into a secure safe.