Two arrested in warehouse killing

Two of the four men thought to be behind the killing of a customer at the Builders Warehouse in Sunninghill, north of Johannesburg, have been arrested.

Captain Kym Cloete said one was found in the Paulshof area, not far from the crime scene, while the other was located in Berea, near Hillbrow in Johannesburg.

Two other men were still in hiding.

The customer was shot dead just after 6am in a botched armed robbery at the shop in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Massmart – which owns Builders Warehouse – said it appeared that the robbers tried to hijack the customer in the parking lot after a failed robbery attempt.

“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,” Massmart said in a statement.

Cloete said employees and security guards were opening the business for the day when they were approached by a man dressed in a security uniform.

They let him in because he was in uniform. He held them at gunpoint and was joined by three other men.

“The suspects demanded cash. When an employee was unable to unlock the safe, he was assaulted,” said Cloete.

Massmart said the shop would not be open for trade today.

Trauma counsellors would be available to help employees and members of the public who were present at the time of the shooting.

“At this stage, our thoughts are with the family of the victim, whom we will provide all assistance as required,” said Massmart.

- SAPA