Police have advised spaza shop owners to close their businesses earlier until further notice in an effort to reduce rising crime in the area. A notice, issued by the Delft SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit, urged shopkeepers to remain vigilant.
“Due to the recent surge in crime and extortion-related killings, we urge all spaza shop owners in Delft to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. As a precautionary measure, we request all spaza shops in Delft to close by 21h00 daily until further notice,” said the notice.
The warning follows an incident on 1st January 2025, when a spaza shop owner in Marigold Street, Delft South, was shot by three men who pretended to be customers. The victim was severely injured and rushed to hospital. Local residents and community leaders believe the attack may have been connected to extortion demands.
A 33-year-old spaza shop owner from Leiden, Delft, has expressed his support for the new advice. “This is about our safety, so we will definitely close by 9:00 PM as the police have asked. We are being attacked constantly, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to stay safe,” he said.
Colonel Malcom Pojie, a police spokesperson, explained that the measure aims to enhance the security of spaza shop owners, who are frequently targeted by criminals. “This notice has been shared with spaza shops as a precautionary measure to improve safety for both shop owners and the community. The request to close by 9:00 PM is part of our efforts to reduce extortion, robberies, murders, and related crimes,” Pojie said.