shloboe boe
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, smoyo@chronicle.co.zw
CHOPPIES Supermarket in Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb closed its doors yesterday, just two days after armed robbers stormed the shop and made off with US$1 000.
However, management clarified that the closure was unrelated to the robbery, stating that the decision had been made well in advance.
The supermarket is among 30 Choppies outlets nationwide that have been taken over by city businessman and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi, under the Sai Mart brand.
“We are not closing the shop because of the Saturday incident. This decision was taken long before, similar to the closure of our Pumula branch,” said Mr Admire Ndlovu, Sai Mart’s human resources manager.
He explained that the proximity of the New Luveve branch to the Emakhandeni store led to a division of customers, which was not sustainable for business.
“We have a shop in Emakhandeni, just close by the New Luveve branch and they were sharing customers which we felt was not entirely good for several reasons,” said Ndlovu.
He also revealed that the transition of all 30 Choppies outlets to Sai Mart operations had already been completed, even though the official rebranding is scheduled for January 1.
“The first phase involved stock-taking, which has been completed. We’ve since been running the shops under Sai Mart operations and tomorrow it will just be a name change and minor administrative adjustments,” he said.
When a Chronicle news crew visited the New Luveve branch yesterday afternoon, staff were seen loading goods onto trucks while customers were turned away at the entrance.
“Sorry, the shop is closing down. We are not doing business today as you can see goods are being removed,” said a security guard at the premises.
Saturday night’s robbery at the Luveve branch left employees and nearby vendors traumatised.
Armed with guns, the robbers fired shots, narrowly missing a security guard and stabbed another guard four times. The manager was also injured in the attack, sustaining a head injury after being struck by one of the assailants.
After overpowering the staff, the robbers forced the manager to open the main entrance, escaping on foot with US$1 000 in cash.
The incident occurred shortly after 8pm, moments after the supermarket had closed for the evening.
Staff were preparing to leave and security personnel were conducting routine checks.
Nearby vendors initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks, only to realise the gravity of the situation.
“We heard gunshots around 8pm and thought someone was playing with firecrackers. It was only later that we realised it was a robbery and we fled in fear,” said one vendor.
Another vendor highlighted how a power outage that evening plunged the area into darkness, providing cover for the robbers.
“The security lights usually illuminate the area before the shop closes, but the power outage made it easy for the robbers to operate,” she said.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that a manhunt for the robbers is underway.
“The robbers, reported to be three men without masks, had clearly been monitoring the shop for some time. We urge supermarkets to enhance their security, especially during closing hours,” he said.
