A former employee of a Boxer supermarket in eShowe, South Africa, allegedly left a disciplinary hearing, retrieved a firearm, and returned to shoot three female managers dead inside an office at the store on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The incident occurred during an internal disciplinary hearing, and police have identified Nzuzo Mthombeni as a person of interest as the manhunt continues.
Shooting During Disciplinary Hearing
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the former employee had gone to the store for an internal disciplinary hearing when he allegedly produced a firearm and shot three people, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting took place at a Boxer supermarket in eShowe, a town in KwaZulu-Natal province.
Police launched a manhunt following the incident, which was captured on the store’s CCTV cameras. The footage reportedly shows the gunman entering an office where the three women were gathered before opening fire.
Victims Identified and Family Account
A report by IOL said the brother of one of the victims, Khehla Chili, recounted how the former employee allegedly reacted after the managers informed him about the disciplinary proceedings. According to Chili, the man locked the women inside the office, left for a few minutes, and returned with a firearm before shooting all three.
One of the victims was identified as Thandiwe Chili, 54, who had worked for Boxer for more than 20 years, including six years at the eShowe branch. Her brother said the family was devastated by her death and called for justice. The other victims were reportedly the store’s bakery manager and administration manager, alongside the store manager.
Possible Motive and Police Investigation
A report said an employee claimed the former worker had complained about being denied leave and feeling unfairly treated. The employee also said he had frequently quarrelled with the managers. However, police have not publicly established a motive for the killings.
Boxer Stores expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said it was supporting colleagues affected by the incident. The retailer also confirmed it was cooperating with the South African Police Service and other relevant authorities.
As of Friday, October 16, police were still seeking information to help locate Nzuzo Mthombeni, whom they identified as a person of interest in the investigation. Authorities urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the police. The investigation into the killings is ongoing.
