Three gunmen are being sought following an armed robbery at a bar on Arbee Drive in the Tongaat CBD this morning (July 9).

According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesperson, Prem Balram, the gunmen entered the bar just after 10am and held up two employees.

The employees were reportedly tied up with ropes while the suspects stole cash from slot machines before running away. No injuries were reported.

“We searched the area extensively,” said Balram.

“We received information from witnesses that the criminals fled on foot. We canvased the area but unfortunately, no arrests were made.”

It is at least the third time in the last six years that gun crime has taken place on the busy Arbee Drive.

On September 30, 2019, a man was shot and killed on the street, while two men sustained minor injuries in the crossfire. Almost four years later, two men were shot and killed and another rushed to hospital in a critical condition on July 1, 2023.

Balram explained that crime has become a major problem in the town centre and surrounding areas over the past month.

“The general crime in Tongaat has drastically increased,” he added.

“Reaction Unit SA has attended multiple shootings, armed robberies and petty theft in recent weeks. We have also recovered an unlicensed firearm used in a previous robbery.”

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