Employees working at establishments at a Pietermaritzburg shopping centre, who witnessed several armed men brandishing big guns storm into a jewellery store, said they feared their lives, reports The Witness.

One store manager said the robbery occurred within five minutes and the robbers armed with large guns resembling AK 47s, chased patrons from the entrance as they did not want anyone in the way.

“It all happened so fast. They stopped people from entering the centre at the gate. They were armed and carrying a large bag. We saw them run into the mall and then they got into the vehicle and drove off.”

When The Witness arrived at the scene, a clean-up of the store was underway. The display cases facing the store front were smashed and the echos of shattered glass being swept up could be heard from outside.

B-Secure Armed Response Unit, which attended the scene, said the robbers escaped with items from the store.

“The [theives] left with few items and fled in a black SUV. There are no reports of any injuries so far,” the security company said.

In a video circulating on social media, employees from other stores can be heard calling for police assistance as the suspects make their getaway.

Watch the video here: