JOHANNESBURG, July 7 -- Three Chinese were killed in two different armed robberies on Sunday in South Africa, said a local Chinese community on Monday.

According to the South Africa Chinese Community and Police Co- operation Center (SACCPCC), 7 robbers broke into a Chinese- operated grocery store and shot the shopkeeper with a pistol at 8: 40 Sunday Morning in Umzimkulu, a Kwa Zulu-Natal town about 160 kilometer away from Durban. They took 8,000 rand cash and 3 watches.

The 33-year-old male victim was claimed death shortly after being rushed to the hospital, said SACCPCC.

About 8 hours later, two Chinese at their forties were killed during a road shoot-out robbery in downtown Johannesburg. Local police said the victims were driving a van loaded with some carpets when strafed by AK-47 rifles. The van lost control before stopped by the curb. The criminal gang then drove away.

Information of the robbers remained unknown due to the broken surveillance camera, the police said.

The investigation for both cases were under way. Chinese consulates in Durban and Johannesburg have made negotiations for more efficient detective work.

According to the SACCPCC, so far this year 10 Chinese have been murdered by robbers in the southernmost African country, where crime rate remained one of the highest in the world.

More than 300,000 Chinese live in South Africa, the highest number among African nations. As more Chinese come to the country, the security concern keeps rising.

Chinese Consulate to Johannesburg has released a security reminder on Monday, calling for safety consciousness among Chinese staying in South Africa.