Brazen gang of armed robbers terrorise beachgoers from La Mercy to Tongaat
In one of the cases, a man parked at Casuarina Beach was shot multiple times during his escape and managed to drive himself to a hospital for treatment.

Communities along the beachfronts from La Mercy to Tongaat are being terrorised by a spate of armed robberies.
Over the past two weeks, at least eight cases have been reported where robbers targeted anglers, beachwalkers and beachfront car parks.
The crime spree began at the La Mercy lagoon on September 2, but has since spread north, with cases reported as far as the Tongaat River mouth.
Initially the reports were of fishermen being accosted for loose valuables such as jewellery, phones and wallets, but the threat has since grown.
On the evening of September 6 at around 8pm, a man parked at the Casuarina Beach car park was shot multiple times during his escape from his attackers.
“It is suspected they were trying to rob him, but the man noticed them and drove away. They shot at his car and he was hit, but was able to drive himself to hospital,” said Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) leader, Nazir Sadack.

A similar case occurred on September 10 just before 11pm, where a man parked on South Beach Road in La Mercy was shot.
“It was the same pattern and he was shot in the chest during his escape. He drove home and was taken to hospital by paramedics,” said Sadack.
Given the similarities, both CERT and Tongaat police believe the robberies were carried out by the same criminals.

“Tongaat Saps have operations in place to combat the robberies and attempted murders, but we also urge residents to exercise caution. Do not go alone to car parks, secluded beaches or other areas along the coastline, particularly after 5pm, which is when all of the incidents have so far occurred,” said Tongaat Saps acting spokesperson, Manisha Maharaj-Marie.
She said they also received reports of robberies at the still closed M4 bridge at the Tongaat River.
“In the past two weeks people driving towards the bridge from the south have been targeted when they turn around. They find the sand and concrete barriers impassable and get caught while reversing. It has happened a few times and people need to stay away from that area while the bridge is closed,” she said.
It is believed the group consists of between three and five young men who may be linked to a white or grey car with GP plates.
Beaches south of the Tongaat River remain closed for swimming.
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