A councillor and security personnel have been hailed as heroes after an armed robbery at a shopping centre in Middelburg, yesterday.

Mere minutes after staring into the barrel of a gun during the robbery at Ackermans in the Midwater Centre, DA councillor Damien Klopper spoke to Middelburg Observer about the incident.

Klopper was in the store with his wife, Lisa, buying clothes for their 12-year-old daughter, when he received a call as he waited in line to pay. When he hung up and turned to Lisa, she whispered to him to stay silent and still.

He initially thought he bumped into something or knocked something over, but when he again faced his wife, the man who was in the line with them immediately noticed the robbery gig was up and pulled his gun on Klopper – who was also armed.

Klopper said he believes the robber sprang to action after seeing his weapon holstered on his hip. “I grabbed the gun and forced it into the air but no shot went off,” a traumatised Klopper shared.

While struggling with the robber on the ground, Klopper stayed calm and released the robber’s magazine from the weapon. As the two men were writhing around on the ground, with Klopper trying to keep his own weapon away from the robber, members of the robbery gang pounced on him.

They pulled his sweatshirt over his head while continuing to beat and kick the struggling man. One of the robbers then pulled another gun on him, saying: “I am going to kill you.”

The politician still had the initial robber in a hold, and shielded himself with the robber’s body. A shot was fired but did not hit him.

Blood smears and droplets left behind by the gang suggest that one of the robbers had been wounded. They then fled.

Midwater’s security detail, CSC Tactical immediately followed the robbers who sped off in two cars. Two also fled on foot, with CSC Tactical members hot on their heels. Their efforts paid off and three of the robbers were ultimately arrested.

A handgun with its serial number filed off was found in their possession.

Emotions ran high when SAPS members brought the arrested robbers back to the Midwater Centre, where Klopper identified one in the back of the police van, as the armed robber next to his wife at the counter.

Meanwhile, Lisa accompanied the police on a chase on the R555 where Damien’s stolen cellphone’s signal was traced. The police are still continuing their search in the area.

Anyone who knows Klopper, knows he’s a staunch family man who frequently boasts about his daughter’s achievements, especially in dance. She ran to the hairdresser next to Ackermans after her father instructed her to run.

Klopper suspects that his weapon was taken by the robber who fled towards eMalahleni, because his pistol could not be found in the area of the cycling park behind Kruger Dam, where the robbers were apprehended.

Klopper said he fired a shot at the robbers, knowing there was no bullet in the chamber.

He sustained bad bruising to his face and body in the merciless beating.

Midwater management credits CSC Tactical and the brave reaction of the officers for the arrests.

Klopper was also hailed ‘a hero’ for taking on an armed gang.