On Sunday July 28, 15 brazen robbers entered the Phoenix Plaza, north of Durban. Armed with AK47 rifles the suspects opened fire after robbing a jewellery store and several other stores at the mall. They shot a policeman and a pedestrian and damaged response vehicles, a police vehicle and buildings as they made their getaway.
Prem Balram, spokesman for the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), said at 11.10am on Sunday, they were called for assistance. The call had come from a community police forum (CPF) member reporting a possible armed robbery in progress. Shoppers and shop owners also made calls to the private security company requesting help.
“Reaction officers converged on the scene and immediately came under attack. Several other private security response officers and police officers swiftly responded to the scene and also came under fire. A car chase and a gun battle ensued. The heavily armed robbers managed to evade arrest after shooting a civilian and a police officer as they made their getaway,” said Mr Balram.
He added that three vehicles were used by the robbers, and confirmed that the suspects had been armed with AK47 rifles and other firearms when they robbed several stores.
He said that the policeman, whose condition was critical, and the man, who were shot, had been taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The man, who had been walking on the road when he was shot in the leg, was stabilised on the scene before transported to hospital.
SAPS spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a massive man hunt was launched following the robbery.
“A jewellery store was targeted as well as a few other stores. The suspects left the crime scene in three vehicles; one was a white bakkie. As they were trying to get away the suspects were confronted by the police. The suspects ambushed the police, one officer was shot, he was taken to hospital. One of the getaway vehicles was later found abandoned in KwaMashu, neighbouring Phoenix,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
