Thieves break into Choppies, get away with $15K

DARING thieves yesterday broke into Choppies Supermarket in New Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo and got away with about $15,000. Officials at the supermarket said the break-in through the roof which occurred in the early hours of the morning, could have been an inside job.

The supermarket chain is run by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko's family.

The thieves, who seemed to have all the time in the world, used a grinder to cut through three safes built into a wall.

The break-in was discovered by security guards who were making routine checks before the opening of the shop.

Branch manager Simbarashe Maobvera confirmed the break-in and theft.

"The burglary was discovered by security guards shortly after our morning prayers as they went around unlocking some doors at the warehouses. They then informed us of the burglary and we quickly checked around to see what had been stolen," said Maobvera.

He said the burglars used a grinder to cut open locks to three in-built safes and stole cash amounting to $12,801, R20,000 and P1,000.

"They gained entry through the roof by making two holes and headed straight to the storeroom where the safes are. It seems it's someone who has inside information," said Maobvera.

He said there were no security cameras at the shop and no groceries were stolen.

Maobvera revealed that there was another burglary at the same supermarket last month but the thieves failed to open the safes.

"Last month they used the same trick and made an opening in the roof. They got into the warehouse but they couldn't open the safes. They left without stealing anything," he said.

Yesterday business went on as usual at the shop with scores of people doing their Christmas shopping.

A report was made at Magwegwe Police Station and detectives attended the scene.

A security guard who was on duty at the time of the robbery told police that he didn't see or hear anything.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not be reached for comment.

The incident comes a few days after armed robbers struck Choppies Supermarket in Nkulumane 12 and attempted to steal more than $60,000.

The robbers went away empty handed after failing to open the safe.

It is alleged that upon gaining entry into the shop, the thieves walked over to a security camera that was placed facing the main door, shifting it to a dark place and laid a carton of tissues on the floor for them to lay the safe.

The suspects reportedly pulled down a safe weighing more than 150kg onto a layer of toilet paper to avoid a thumping noise.

They cut a 30 centimetre hole through a metal cover of the safe so they could get access to the money inside.

However, a slab of concrete blocked the metal cover making it impossible for them to gain access to the money.

Choppies retail shops have become targets of armed robbers and thieves with the Choppies Supermarket at Sekusile in Nkulumane having been hit twice by armed robbers. The supermarket chain's Fort Street branch has also been hit by armed robbers.

The two supermarkets lost about $60,000 in a space of two months.

Police have in the wake of the rising robberies targeting supermarkets, urged businesspeople to tighten their security.

In September, robbers using the same modus operandi pounced on Bon Marche Supermarket in Parklands suburb and got away with more than $15,000.