SHOPLIFTERS are faced with a tough choice of punishment: jail time, a sjambok beating, or hours in a cold room.
IYOH, what happened?
On Sunday, 19 May, Bandile Tshabalala (33), met his tragic end inside a cold room at Checkers in Ratanda, Heidelberg, after allegedly stealing two chocolate bars.
It's unclear if Bandile chose this punishment himself.
Bandile's friend, also a victim of the cold room treatment, shared that Bandile was allegedly placed in the cold room around 8am by the supermarket's manager and forgot about it.
Shock as Bandile found dead
Around 8pm Bandile was allegedly found dead, his body iced over.
Workers allegedly attempted to revive him with water. It was too late, already.
"I've been in that situation. I chose the cold room over jail in winter, thinking a few hours of cold was better," the friend claimed.
I could see that his body had iced over and hardened
Smangele Tshabalala (36), Bandile's sister, was informed of her brother's death around 10pm that Sunday. Upon arrival, she allegedly found her brother's body covered in foil, still seated, and frozen solid.
"I insisted on seeing him and could see that his body was iced and hardened, and he was still in a seated position. The mortuary van had to load him in that state," she said.
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She claimed the store manager refused her request to see the cold room. The following day on Monday, 20 May, Ratanda residents outraged by the incident, allegedly attacked the manager and damaged the supermarket.
On Tuesday, 21 May, armed security guards were visible at the supermarket.
Shoprite extends condolences to family
Shoprite has extended its condolences to the Tshabalala family and promised a thorough investigation, emphasising co-operation with the police.
"The allegations are seen in an extremely serious light and necessary steps will be taken pending the outcome of a full investigation. We can't comment on the details of the incident as it's a police matter.
"We always give our full co-operation and provide all available information to the SAPS to assist their investigation," Shoprite's statement read.
Police to investigate matter
Colonel Noxolo Khweza, spokeswoman for Gauteng Police said Ratanda police have opened a case of assault common as well as an inquest docket.
"This follows an alleged incident where two men accused of shoplifting were locked at the back of the store," Khweza said.
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