East London tennis coach killed in armed robbery

WSU students distraught at loss of mentor who had been ‘like a father’ to them

Walter Sisulu University students were inconsolable at the news that one of their tennis coaches had been fatally shot during what police believe was an armed robbery in Pearce Street, Berea, on Tuesday.

The 48-year-old Gonubie resident was shot dead when he walked into the E’lollipop Sweet Shop while four armed men were robbing the store. The Dispatch has opted not to name him until it is certain his family have been informed.

Fellow tennis coach Thabo Gwegwana confirmed a colleague of his had been killed in the robbery.

Speaking after the attack, shop owner Halim Mollah said: “We opened the shop at 7am, and at about 9am four men carrying guns walked in while two staff members were working. One was at the door and the other was behind the counter.

“Two of the robbers took one of the guys and locked him in the bathroom, while the other was forced to lie down on the floor behind the counter.

“They took money, cigarettes and I don’t know what else.

While they were busy, a customer walked in and interrupted them. We don’t know what transpired between the gunmen and the customer, but my staff heard a gunshot and the men fled afterwards.

“When the building security came they called my guys out and told them that the robbers had left. They found the customer dead on the floor.”

Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said police were investigating a case of murder and business robbery.

“Cambridge police are searching for four armed suspects who allegedly robbed an E’lollipop spaza shop at about 8.45am on Tuesday.

“The men entered the store, held the staff at gunpoint, fired a shot that fatally injured a 48year-old customer and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. The circumstances surrounding the incident are not clear at this stage.”

Kinana said while the suspects were still at large, the police were following all possible leads.

Business owners in the area expressed concern over the prevalence of crime, saying the city had become a hotspot for criminals.

Val Waddell of Hidden Treasure, a store in the same building, said the family had started the day with their regular prayer before opening the shop. Then they heard a loud bang.

“We didn’t see anything but we figured the loud sound may have been a gunshot. These store robberies are really nerveracking but we have put some safety measures in place, like a security gate and panic button.

“There is a CCTV camera outside the building, so we hope those who are behind this are apprehended.”

WSU student and tennis player Anita Dingi said she was heartbroken at the news, because the coach had been like a father figure to her and her teammates.

“I heard about the incident from our tennis club Whatsapp group and I couldn’t believe it, until I saw the Dispatchlive article.

“We are all so disturbed about this whole thing because not only was he our coach, he was like a parent and he would motivate us by telling us stories about his upbringing.

“I joined the club last year and it was the best thing I have ever done, but this incident has changed everything. We will never get a coach like him again. I am torn apart.”

Police initially believed the victim had been an off-duty traffic officer as they had found an official, department-issued reflective jacket in his car. They later realised it was an old jacket that may have been given away.

... we figured the loud sound may have been a gunshot. These store robberies are really nerve-racking