Robbers had police running in KZN and Limpopo this week when four separate incidents happened at malls in Amanzimtoti and Polokwane – two within hours of each other.

In Amanzimtoti, two business robberies on Wednesday were followed up by a cash-in-transit heist on Thursday.

The first incident of business robbery was reported at Pep Stores at Seadoone Mall. Three armed men entered the store at 13:30 and held up staff.

Amanzimtoti SAPS spokesperson Captain Charlene van der Spuy said one of the suspects showed the cashier a firearm on his waist and informed her that a robbery was in progress.

“The suspect demanded that she take him to the back of the shop and open the safe containing cellphones. The cashier told him that she did not have the key, and the suspect demanded that she call the person who has the key,” says Van der Spuy.

The other two suspects then allegedly approached the floor manager and escorted her to the back office, which houses two safes, one containing cellphones and the other cash.

“She opened the safe with the cellphones, after which the suspects used three store bags to load several makes of cellphones. The back office is small, and only one safe could be opened at a time. After taking the cellphones, the suspects exited the back office,” says Van der Spuy.

On their way out of the store, they reportedly helped themselves to various clothing items before fleeing. No cash was taken and nothing was stolen from the employees. Van der Spuy says the estimated value of the stolen goods is R500 000.

The suspects’ luck ended soon afterwards, however, when their car was intercepted and they were arrested as they tried to flee on foot.

Five hours later, response officers were again called out when 12 heavily armed men stormed Winklespruit Spar, also in Amanzimtoti. It has not been confirmed what the robbers took, but information from a local security company indicates that they made their getaway in two cars – a white Mercedes-Benz and a white Renault Duster. The suspects are still at large.

Then yesterday, a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist was committed just before 15:00 – again at Seadoone Mall.

According to information received from a local security company, three men held up a CIT vehicle not far from the mall’s main entrance. The robbers allegedly shot in the air, but it is not clear whether they retrieved any cash.

It is said that the men then fled towards the N2 in a white bakkie that had no registration plates.

Meanwhile, in Polokwane, an armed robbery occurred at Woolworths Mall of the North at around 19:00 yesterday.

Even though the police were quick to arrive, the robbers managed to escape before their arrival. Details surrounding the incident are yet to be revealed.