Shop Owner Accuses Police Of Stealing R20,000 In Alleged TRT Raid

A Somali spaza shop owner in Delft, Cape Town, is demanding justice after he was allegedly robbed of over R20,000 by police officers dressed in full SAPS uniform.

The 34-year-old businessman, who has owned the shop for seven years, says he was left in shock when members of the Tactical Response Unit (TRT) raided his store on Saturday under the pretence of searching for firearms.

According to the shop owner, about eight officers arrived in official SAPS vehicles and stormed his store, claiming they needed to conduct a weapons search.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: KZN Education Department Condemns Fraudulent Employment Offers

“This shop has been here for 10 years, and I have been the owner for seven years. They came with police cars, and about eight of them entered the shop,” he said.

‘They Took My Money and Said They’d Be Back’

After searching the premises and finding no firearms, one officer allegedly instructed him to hand over all the cash he had. The shop owner explained that he had R20,000 set aside to restock cigarettes and an additional R800 from the day’s sales.

“I put the money in a box, and they took it. They even placed packets of chips on top of the box to conceal the cash and said they would come back for more,” he recalled.

The shop owner, unable to believe what had happened, later discovered that the police vehicles involved in the incident had been captured on an external CCTV camera.

He immediately reported the case to Delft police station, where he was given a case number. However, he claims he has received no updates from investigators since filing the complaint.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: “Suspect Assaulted By Family After Attempting To Rape One-Year-Old Boy at Durban Birthday Party

Police Confirm Investigation but No Arrests Yet

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that a case of general theft has been opened at Delft SAPS. “Be advised that the mentioned case number is a theft general case registered at Delft SAPS for investigation.

“The incident happened on 15 February at Canberra Street, The Hague, Delft. No arrest as yet, investigations continue,” he stated.

Further investigation into the CCTV footage reportedly identified the vehicles as belonging to a TRT unit based in Faure.

As frustration grows, the shop owner is calling for swift action, urging law enforcement to investigate their own members and hold them accountable for what he describes as a clear abuse of power.

---

For SA Crime News Follow SurgeZirc SA on Facebook,  X and Instagram