Robber killed in Tongaat hostage situation

One robber was shot dead and four others arrested after a ‘wild west’ shoot-out at the Marshalls tote in Tongaat at 11am this morning.
The five men held the patrons and Marshalls staff hostage for about 10 minutes before the police were alerted.
“The robbers first kicked the security guard and pushed him to the ground and then ordered us to lie on the floor. Some searched us for valuables and took cellphones and wallets while others demanded the keys to the safe from the girl who was behind the counter,” said hostage Cebo Ndlela.
According to Tongaat SAPS Lt Mandy Govender, she had to lie on her stomach on the first floor of the building to see what was happening inside the shop, which is situated in the basement.
“I shouted what I could see to my colleagues who had surrounded the area. The men shoved the hostages outside before they opened fire on the police. The hostages got to the ground and crawled to safety while there was shooting back and fourth between us and the robbers,” said Govender.
A policemen was grazed by the bullet below his right ear. All the cellphones and money were recovered.