CSC Tactical said an alert CSC Virtual Guarding CCTV controller at Midwater Centre raised the alarm over yesterday’s failed robbery at the Ackermans store, where shoppers were lucky to escape any harm.

The robbery was ultimately foiled by brave DA councillor Damien Klopper, who was in the store with his wife and daughter when the robbery took place.

Cllr Klopper, who was also armed, was standing at the counter to pay for clothes. Ahead of them was a robber, which his wife Lisa spotted.
Cllr Klopper believes the robber saw his firearm, after which, all hell broke loose.

The robber aimed a pistol at him with Cllr Klopper immediately grabbing the gun and aiming it upwards while engaging in a struggle with the assailant.
He succeeded in releasing the robber’s magazine from the pistol, but continued to wrestle with the robber in order to secure his own weapon.

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While on the ground, his hoodie was pulled over his face from behind by fellow robbers who started kicking and beating him.

The struggling duo came to their feet when another robber aimed his pistol at Cllr Klopper, who used the robber he was struggling with as a human shield when the other robber pulled the trigger. The gang then fled.

According to CSC, five robbers could be seen on CCTV footage fleeing the store, after the fierce confrontation with Cllr Klopper.

Three ran towards Tarries cycling course, with CSC Tactical officers on their heels.
They were arrested, and a weapon was retrieved during the arrest.

Two robbers succeeded in escaping, both in a white Toyota Etios, which was tailed, but lost, by the police on the old Witbank road.

According to CSC, the CCTV control room operator spotted the armed robbers leaving the store.
The operator immediately alerted the CSC Virtual Guarding officers and armed reaction.

While the security officers chased the suspects, shots were also fired towards them by one of the suspects.
After the arrest, Cllr Klopper positively identified the robber he was physically engaged with.

A body was discovered next to the N4 while police were booking the suspects. The body is, however, not tied to the robbery.

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CSC Tactical said the investigation will reveal whether the gang originated from eMalahleni, in the direction the getaway vehicle fled.
The police did recover Cllr Klopper’s phone, which was also taken during the robbery. His weapon is, however, still missing.