An off-duty police officer stopped a business robbery at Mhluzi Mall in Middelburg on Monday evening.

Mpumalanga Police Spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala says the officer was at an ATM in the mall when he noticed a robbery in progress at Pep and intervened.

A man (22) was allegedly pointing what looked like a firearm at workers in the store demanding cellphones.

When the police officer confronted him, the suspect allegedly pointed his weapon at the officer. The policeman fired a shot at the man, hitting him in his hand and resulting in him dropping his weapon.

“During the incident, a 32-year-old innocent passer-by also sustained head injuries and was rushed to hospital for medical attention,” Brigadier Mohlala says.

It was later discovered that the suspect’s firearm was a toy gun.

Shoppers on the scene apprehended the suspect and seized his backpack, which had the stolen cell phones in it. They also assaulted the suspect. CPF members had to intervene to stop the mob.

Mhluzi Police were dispatched to the scene, and the suspect was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The police have since arrested another suspect linked to the incident, thanks to information received by the public.

The two suspects are expected to appear before the Middelburg Magistrates’ Court tomorrow. They are facing charges of business robbery and being in possession of a firearm.

The Independence Police Investigative Directorate were informed about the incident and will conduct their own investigation into the shooting.