Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Efforts by a number of crime fighters in and around Plett have led to the swift arrests of two suspects allegedly involved in an armed robbery of a spaza shop and killing of the young shopkeeper in Kwanokuthula recently.

The 27-year-old Ethiopian man was shot and killed during the incident at his spaza shop in Shishuba Street at about 11:40 on 31 August.

A preliminary police investigation indicated that two men, one armed with a firearm, entered the shop and demanded cash. It is believed that an altercation ensued and the victim sustained a gunshot wound. Police said the suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.

The victim however succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead on the scene by paramedics who responded.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies said the two suspects were arrested in two separate operations involving local police, the Garden Route District Rural Flying Squad, local security companies and community volunteers.

Both men are expected to appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court this week. Spies said a manhunt was launched to track the suspects down and the first was apprehended at about 20:00 on 1 September, the day after the incident.

He said that the rural flying squad officers responded to a call from Bitou law enforcement officers on the N2 highway near Plettenberg Bay where they cornered a man suspected to be involved in an attack.

A search of the man led to the confiscation of a pistol. He was arrested and detained on charges of murder, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The following day, Friday 2 September, the same team acted on information that the second suspect was believed to be hiding in a house in Kwanokuthula. Spies said the team descended on the property and during a search, the suspect was found hiding in the ceiling of the home.

"Police arrested the 25-year-old suspect on a charge of armed robbery."

Western Cape police management applauded those involved for their vigilance in bringing the perpetrators to book.