About seven men robbed a Zimbabwean-owned spaza shop in the early hours of Wednesday morning and tied two foreign national employees up before stealing money and stock, Free State police said.

The two Zimbabwean men had been asleep in the back room of the shop in Thubelitsha, Thabong, near Welkom, when one of them woke up hearing footsteps outside after midnight, Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana said.

"As he was listening he saw that someone was trying to open the door of the premises by force. While he was looking at the entrance, three shots were fired outside and the door was forcefully opened."

About seven men entered and tied the two up using rope and masking tape, and forced them to lie on the floor. One of the men was also threatened by one the armed robbers. After the assailants left one of the two was able to untie himself and call the police.

"The suspects fled the scene in an unidentified motor vehicle."

They allegedly stole cellphone recharge vouchers and groceries worth R6 000.

A case of robbery was opened. No arrests had been made.

"Our members are looking at this crime in a very serious light, just like the other crimes reported in Thabong," said station commander Director Cois Muller in the statement.

"We will not rest until we arrest the scoundrels who break into people's businesses and residential premises."