A man who killed two people while robbing a jewellery store shot himself dead after he was cornered by guards in Ermelo on Friday, Mpumalanga police said.

"The man entered a jewellery shop in the Sanlam Mall and held up the store owner and his employee," said Inspector Abie Khoabane.

It was believed that an argument started and he then shot the owner of the jewellery shop and the employee.

Three security guards heard the gunshots and rushed to the jewellery store. They cornered the robber at the door of the store while he was trying to escape.

He then turned the gun on himself and died on the scene.

The stolen jewellery was recovered near the body of the robber.

Police would investigate two cases of murder, and an armed robbery, and open an inquest docket, said Khoabane.