A foreign shop assistant was shot and killed in Assegaai Street in Bonteheuwel last night, and the motive for the attack has not yet been established.

Gunshot to chest

According to provincial police, officers were dispatched to Assegaai Street at approximately 19:52. “Upon members’ arrival, the body of a 31-year-old male was found inside the shop. The deceased was lying on his back and had sustained one gunshot wound to the chest. He was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the deceased was serving customers when several shots were fired at him by unidentified suspects. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. Bishop Lavis police have registered a murder case for investigation. The motive for this attack forms part of the police investigation,” says Captain F.C. van Wyk, police spokesperson.

Sergeant Samantha Adonis, spokesperson for the Bishop Lavis police, says the owner of the shop told police that he and the deceased were serving customers when they heard gunshots close to the shop. “The customers started running and the owner ran to close the back of the shop. He heard more shots and when he returned he saw his colleague on the floor, not moving,” says Adonis.

According to Adonis, they do not suspect the attack was based on xenophobia.

Ward councillor Angus McKenzie says it is with profound sadness that he learned of the fatal shooting of the man known throughout the community as Umar. “On behalf of my family and in my capacity as ward councillor, I extend my deepest condolences to Umar’s family, friends, loved ones, and the many loyal customers whose lives he touched through his kindness and service to our community. No family should ever have to endure such a senseless and violent loss. At this stage, I cannot confirm whether this tragic incident is directly linked to the shooting of another spaza shop owner in A Block a few days ago, who fortunately survived. That investigation remains the responsibility of the police,” says McKenzie.

Protection money

McKenzie says his office has received numerous reports over the past few weeks that spaza shops in A Block have been targeted by criminal elements demanding so-called “protection money”.

“Based on the information available at this stage, there is no indication that this attack is related to xenophobic violence. Rather, all indications point towards an organised extortion racket targeting businesses within our community. I want to make it absolutely clear: Bonteheuwel cannot and will not become a community where hardworking business owners are terrorised by gangsters seeking to profit through fear and intimidation.

“I therefore make an urgent appeal to every business owner who has been threatened or extorted — please do not pay extortion demands. Every incident must be reported immediately to the police. While reporting these crimes may seem daunting, silence only strengthens those responsible. I also appeal to anyone who has information regarding this murder, or who knows those involved in these extortion activities, to come forward. Your information could be the key to preventing further violence and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice. Information can be provided confidentially through the police or any trusted law enforcement agency,” says McKenzie.

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