On October 10, 2026, three female managers were shot dead at a Boxer Superstore in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, during an incident involving a former employee who had reportedly attended a disciplinary hearing. The suspect, a 33-year-old former bakery employee, fled the scene and remained at large as of October 15, while police conducted a manhunt.
The killings shocked the local community and raised concerns about workplace safety, the circumstances surrounding the alleged employment dispute, and the protection of workers from violence.
What Happened at the Boxer Superstore?
The shooting occurred on Saturday, October 10, at a Boxer Superstore in Eshowe, a town in KwaZulu-Natal.
According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the suspect was a former employee of the supermarket who had arrived for an internal disciplinary hearing.
Three female members of the store’s management team were shot and declared dead at the scene. The suspect subsequently fled the premises.
Police launched an investigation and an intensive search for the 33-year-old suspect. By October 15, he had not been apprehended.
Who Were the Three Victims?
The victims were identified by family members and local media as Thandiwe Chili, Thembeka, and Lulama. All three women held management positions at the supermarket.
Thandiwe Chili, 54, worked as the administration manager. Originally from eSikhaleni near Empangeni, she had spent more than 20 years working for Boxer, including six years at the Eshowe branch.
Chili was a major financial provider for her children, grandchildren, and other relatives. Her death left her family grieving the loss of a woman who had contributed to their livelihood.
Thembeka was the store manager, while Lulama managed the bakery department.
A family member also disclosed that one of the victims had a twin sister who worked at the same store, adding to the family’s distress following the killings.
What Led to the Shooting?
Although police had not publicly confirmed an official motive as of October 15, reports indicated that tensions between the suspect and the store’s management may have preceded the shooting.
An employee who spoke to the Mail & Guardian on condition of anonymity reportedly said the former employee had been involved in repeated disagreements with managers over leave requests and what he perceived as unfair treatment.
The disciplinary hearing was reportedly connected to issues involving leave days. According to reports, the suspect was informed that his employment had been terminated.
He allegedly requested to speak with the managers after the hearing before opening fire.
However, the precise sequence of events and the alleged motive remained subject to the police investigation. The reported workplace disagreements had not been publicly established as the definitive cause of the killings.
What CCTV Footage Reportedly Revealed
Security camera footage of the shooting circulated on social media and was reported by several news outlets.
According to accounts describing the footage, the suspect entered an office where the three female managers were gathered and allegedly opened fire at close range.
Reports further claimed that he reloaded his firearm before continuing the attack and subsequently fled the premises.
Some accounts described additional details concerning the suspect’s movements and the office door. These details had not been independently confirmed by police in the information available as of October 15.
The circulation of the footage brought further attention to the killings, although the investigation remained focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Boxer Superstores Responds to the Killings
Boxer Superstores expressed sadness over the deaths of its three employees, describing the incident as a horrific act of violence.
The company stated that it was cooperating with the South African Police Service and providing support to affected employees and the victims’ families.
On October 14, Boxer teams across the country reportedly observed a moment of remembrance before beginning their shifts in honour of the three women.
The killings also raised concerns among workers about their safety and the support available to employees affected by workplace violence.
The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) reportedly criticised the reopening of the store two days after the killings, arguing that employees were still traumatised by the incident.
The African National Congress Women’s League condemned the deaths, linking the incident to broader concerns about violence against women in South Africa.
The organisation noted that the killings occurred less than two weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the country’s problem of femicide.
ANC Women’s League Secretary-General Nokuthula Nqaba said the incident highlighted workplace tensions and the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict.
The organisation renewed its call for a referendum on reinstating the death penalty and urged law enforcement authorities to pursue justice.
Khehla Chili, the brother of victim Thandiwe Chili, raised concerns about security procedures at the supermarket.
He alleged that employees were searched when leaving the premises to prevent theft but were not routinely searched when entering for work.
He argued that an entry screening procedure might have detected the suspect’s firearm before the shooting.
The allegation raised questions about the store’s security arrangements. However, the effectiveness of any proposed security changes and the circumstances under which the suspect entered the premises would require further investigation.
Chili called for justice for his sister and the other victims, stating that a workplace dispute did not justify taking human lives.
Police Investigation and Manhunt
As of October 15, 2026, the 33-year-old suspect remained at large, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
KwaZulu-Natal police continued efforts to locate him and appealed to members of the public not to approach him if they spotted him.
Anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts was urged to contact Eshowe police on 035 473 4211 or 082 557 6033, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
The investigation remained ongoing, and the suspect’s motive and the full circumstances surrounding the killings had not been conclusively established.
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