The Moodley family of Hattingspruit endured a Monday night of horror when four armed men robbed their tuckshop and home at gunpoint. If it was not for the quick action of the Hattingspruit police, who shot dead one of the robbers, the family said they could have been killed.
A policeman was shot and wounded in the frantic shoot-out, as was a second robber. The other two got away with cash, cigarettes and airtime.
Siva Moodley said his family have been running the business for around 20 years, at the premises of the old drive-in on the Hattingspruit road.
He said that at about 8pm, when he was at home with his daughter Samantha, her husband and their eight-year-old daughter, four men arrived.
“They said they wanted cigarettes and bananas. But, because we were robbed only a week ago when a substantial amount of cash was stolen, I was suspicious. I asked Samantha to contact the Hattintgspruit police,” said Mr Moodley.
Just then, the men produced guns and attempted to break down the security bars. They threatened the little girl and gained access to the shop.
“Two were inside – they were after airtime, cigarettes and cash – while their two accomplices were outside.”
It was then that the police arrived. A shoot-out ensued, during which one of the robbers was shot dead and the other injured. A policeman, Const Kunene, was shot in the leg, Mr Moodley said.
The other two managed to get away with the goods in a silver Golf 4 with GP-registered numberplates, but the police are following up on various leads.
Mr Moodley said that after such a horrible two weeks ‘we have no option but to sell’.