A maskless and allegedly intoxicated man was behind the petrol bomb attack on a Spar grocery store in Pretoria’s northern Les Marais suburb.
Store manager Unathi Nkasana told Sunday Times Daily that the man first arrived at the store at 1pm on Wednesday, and was prevented from entering by security staff as he was not wearing a mask in line with gazetted Covid-19 protocols.
The man then allegedly fought with security staff but retreated, it would appear, to prepare for a second attempt to get inside the store.
Nkasana said when he returned, he climbed on the cash register counters and jumped up and down before again being removed from the store.
This would not be the last time staff and shoppers saw the man, who drove off in a car.
In a massive escalation of events, the man allegedly returned a third time at about 3pm, got out of his car and threw a petrol bomb next to one of the cashier counters.
Paramedics called to the scene treated an elderly nurse who sustained burns on her leg after the petrol bomb burst next to her.
“The shopper [who is also a nurse] was treated on scene by Ambu-Link EMS and transported by Best Care EMS to a nearby private hospital,” Best Care Emergency Medical Service said in a statement.
There is one person who is particularly traumatised. The petrol bomb was thrown next to her till point.
— Store manager Unathi Nkasana
Nkasana said the man got back into his car and drove off afterwards but was tracked down and taken into custody by police.
“He refused to wear a mask. That’s the whole purpose for the petrol bomb. Before that he threatened the people in the store,” explained Nkasana.
The incident was recorded by CCTV.
Staff members were traumatised and Nkasana said Spar had a support system through which staff were receiving counselling.
“There is one person who is particularly traumatised. The petrol bomb was thrown next to her till point,” said Nkasana.
He said it was the first time an attack like this had occurred due to shoppers being refused entry for not wearing a mask.
“We’ve just had clients who’ve said they have health issues, and then we would assist them with buying while they stay in their car, but we’ve never had an incident where someone wants to force themselves in,” said Nkasana.
He said he the man appeared to be intoxicated during the various altercations.
Gauteng police are yet to respond to questions sent by Sunday Times Daily.
The wearing of a mask is mandatory for every person in a public place, excluding children under six, under Covid-19 regulations.
Offenders can be fined, imprisoned for up to six months, or both.
