Residents, particularly those in Mhluzi, experienced a rude awakening shortly before 03:00 this morning, when a gang of armed robbers stormed the Sasol Nkululeko filling station where they bombed an empty safe.

Colonel Donald Mdhluli says the gang stormed the garage around 02:50.

The suspects were all clad in balaclavas and were armed with guns and explosives.

The safe that was targeted, was empty, Mdhluli says.

Unfortunately, the gang then turned their attention to the staff, and robbed them of phones, cash and other valuables.

They also emptied the cash registers.

Police are investigating business robbery and malicious damage to property.

No one was injured and the gang is still at large.

Mdhluli urged members of the public with information that can lead to arrests, to assist the police.