Deadly shootout at Shoprite

Durban - An armed robber was shot dead and his 12 heavily armed accomplices arrested in Ulundi in the early hours of Monday morning, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

"One of the employees of Shoprite Checkers in Ulundi had been colluding with these criminals and they planned a massive armed robbery before Christmas," said Superintendent Vincent Mdunge.

The alleged members of the gang were from Gauteng, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal.

They struck after midnight and held staff at gunpoint. The store was open due to renovations and employees were preparing to open its doors at mid-morning on Monday.

"The gang were armed with firearms, hammers and screwdrivers. They took valuables, including cellphones from the staffers and then proceeded to break [open] the safe."

While busy breaking into the safe, a staffer still in possession of his cellphone alerted police. Ulundi police arrived while the robbery was still in progress.

"There was crossfire between the thugs and police and one suspect was shot dead."

Twelve others were arrested at the scene. All the stolen items and the weapons were recovered. Nobody else was injured. Mdunge said it was a well-planned operation. The alleged mastermind was the employee who had divulged critical information to the gang.

"He disseminated information about... the safe, who held the keys and which staffers had what... and just about everything."

The gang was due to appear in the Ulundi Magistrate's Court on Tuesday to face charges of attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Police said they suspected the alleged robbers were linked to other crimes. Mdunge warned business owners to be extra cautious over the next two weeks and to ensure that their employees were properly screened before being hired.