THREE employees from a Pinetown company were the targets of two separate armed robberies in the Highway area during the past two weeks.
The first incident took place on Thursday 30 January at about noon when two employees, Dhamian Munien and Junaid Charles arrived back at the business premises with the staff’s wages.
“We went to the Standard Bank along Old Main Road. I went in and withdrew the money at the bulk teller and we both left the bank at the same time. As we walked out, another man walked into the bank, saw the money bag, and walked straight out. He was a few steps behind us as we made our way back to the car. I noticed the man take out his cellphone but I didn’t think anything of it,” said Munien.
They drove back to the business premises in Pinetown and entered through the bottom access gate. Munien said he was in the process of closing the passenger door when he heard a man telling him to hand over the money.
“I moved my hand holding the money bag behind me and the robber took it. I then put both my hands above my head and heard another man shout for someone to hand over the keys,” said Munien.
According to Charles, he was busy climbing out of the car when an armed man approached him, demanding money. “I put both of my hands up, dropped my wallet, car keys and the bank documents. I turned my head away and closed my eyes as I didn’t want to see the gun fire. I was waiting for a shot to go off as I told him that I had no money,” said Charles. The robber struck him in the face before making his way to the getaway vehicle, a gold Toyota RunX, with his two accomplices. The robbers stole R39 625.
“The scary part was we didn’t even notice the men following us back to our business premises. We didn’t even see them run up behind the car,” said Charles.
In another incident, 48-year-old Gavin Barends, was robbed outside the Standard Bank in Kloof last Monday morning.
“Knowing what happened to my colleagues a few days before I was slightly hesitant to use that particular branch this time around,” said Barends.
He arrived at the bank, placed the cheque, to the value of R16 000 in his backpack and exited the vehicle. He said he was waiting for the green light to indicate he could enter the bank when two armed men appeared at his side. “There was a man on my left and another on my right. The one on my right shouted at me to give him the money and grabbed onto the backpack. I didn’t let go. He then put a gun to my head and said he would kill me if I didn’t hand over the bag,” said Barends.
He let go of the bag and the two robbers ran to their getaway car, a silver Hyundai i20, and were about to drive off when Barends gave chase.
“As I started running towards the car one of the robbers climbed back out, pointed his gun at me and threatened to shoot me. They sped off and drove towards Pinetown. The cheque was cancelled,” concluded Barends.
Ross Linstrom, spokesman for Standard Bank, responds:
Our advice to business owners is to try and not withdraw cash and rather make use of electronic platforms, if possible. It is also advised to not let anyone in the business know when the cash is being withdrawn and to never take the same route. We advise business owners to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to make an arrangement with their bank to find out ways in which they can transport large amounts of cash.
