WHEN residents saw a shop burning, nobody thought there was anyone inside as it was already closed.
When residents from Zwelisha in Inanda, north of Durban saw the shop on fire on Friday, 24 April, they contacted the owner, who had left after he closed up.
But they were shocked to find out after the flames had been put out that there was someone in the shop. A man suspected to be a robber was found burnt beyond recognition in the shop.
Resident, Bongani Mkhize said the shop often closes at 8pm, so they saw the flames after it was closed and those who have the owner's contacts called him.
"He doesn't leave anyone inside so when the flames broke out after it was closed, nobody thought there was someone inside. Even the owner was sure there was nobody inside when he arrived. So when someone was discovered burnt in the shop, it was suspected he was a robber," he said.
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Another resident, Njabulo Dlamini said the owner confirmed the shop was locked just after 8pm and no one was inside at the time.
"Firefighters arrived after they were called and they extinguished the blaze and discovered one dead man in the shop believed to have gained entry to steal as the owner had left. So maybe the man was there to steal," he said.
He said the man is unknown at this stage as he was burnt beyond recognition.
KZN cops spokesman, Colonel Paul Magwaza said cops in Inanda have registered an inquest docket after a man's burnt body was found in a shop which was on fire in Zwelitsha.
"It is reported that in the early hours of Friday morning the shop owner was alerted by community members that his shop was on fire. They all proceeded to the shop and while trying to douse the fire, a body was discovered in the shop. The victim is unknown to the shop owner. Investigations are ongoing," he said.
