[WATCH] CCTV captures alleged robbery at Umhlali garage

A Tongaat man accused of robbing an Umhlali convenience store in the early hours of May 16 appeared in court this week after CCTV footage captured the brazen incident in full view of staff and security.

Bronson Pretorius (50) briefly appeared in the Umhlali District Court on Monday, May 25, on charges of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery.

According to the charge sheet, Pretorius stands accused of unlawfully entering the OK Express at the Total Garage Umhlali with the intent to rob it.

The charge sheet further alleges that Pretorius assaulted cashier Sindisiwe Nyembezi before taking R1362.61 in cash from the till.

CCTV footage obtained by the Courier shows Pretorius entering the store at 4.10am wearing slops, beige shorts and a beige striped T-shirt, with his glasses resting on his head. He is seen walking through the aisles before approaching the till.

Pretorius then appears to hand over a small amount of money to the cashier. He fiddles with an item while she processes the transaction. The moment the till opens, he lunges over the counter and grabs cash from inside the drawer.

Nyembezi screams loudly as she unsuccessfully tries to fend him off. Pretorius runs towards the exit, where he is seen overpowering a security guard before fleeing the store.

A second CCTV clip from the forecourt shows Pretorius running towards a parked car with the security guard in hot pursuit. The two briefly wrestle before Pretorius shuts the car door and drives away.
He was arrested last Thursday and remains in custody pending formal bail application on June 1.

The State is opposing bail at this stage.