A spate of business robberies took place in the Tongaat area over the weekend, with three cases of small businesses being held up, and cash and items of value being stolen.
The first two incidents took place just 25 minutes apart on Friday, with an alleged armed robbery at a truck-stop in Tuthukani at 7.30pm.
It was held up by three male suspects with firearms who stole both money and merchandise.
About 25 minutes later at 7.55pm, another three armed men entered the Seatides Store on Genazzano Road, demanding the tills be opened and staff to hand over their cellphones.
They fled with R10000 cash and the personal belongings of the store employees.
On Saturday, May 16 at 7.45pm, a shopkeeper at Sandfields was robbed by two men who entered his store and placed R4 on his counter, asking for loose change.
While the shopkeeper was serving the men they reportedly started swearing at him and then hit the man’s friend over the head with a beer bottle before taking the shopkeeper into another room and assaulting him.
They then threw the merchandise from the shelves all over the store before running away with cell phones that were at the store for repairs.
“As we are approaching winter, shop owners need to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their property as well as their staff,” said Tongaat SAPS warrant officer Maharaj-Marie.
“With it getting dark earlier, shop owners need to make security arrangements during this period.”
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