Teen attempts to sell gun to tuckshop owner before trying to extort her

Local businesses are also targeted by extortion.

A newly opened tuckshop owner in Bonteheuwel has revealed her shock at the intimidation small-business owners face, after a 15-year-old allegedly attempted to sell her a firearm for protection before attempting to extort her.

This alarming incident follows a spate of violent attacks on three spaza shops in the area over the past two weeks, resulting in one fatality and another serious injury.

The owner, who asked not to be named because she feared for her safety, said she had seen increased reports about attacks on spaza shops but did not expect to encounter similar threats so soon after opening.

“In the past few weeks, we have experienced quite a bit. I didn’t expect it to be so hectic,” she said.