UPDATE: Witness describes robbery ordeal

“It all happened so quickly, but I really thought I was going to die that night.”

Vidur Singh was one of the Allen Street KFC patrons who were at the store when it was robbed by armed men on Friday evening, February 13.

Mr Singh explained he went to KFC every Friday evening, and the day of the robbery was no different.

“It was very busy, but I managed to get a parking spot in front of the store and I went in to order my food. I even chatted a bit to one of the cashiers, as I go there so often I know them well,” he said.

It was while he was waiting for his food the incident occurred.

“I saw two people rush forward and then people started laying on the floor. I realised it was a robbery. Before I could lie, a man came and pushed me down, he cocked his gun, held it to my head and said if I didn’t do what he said, he would shoot me,” Mr Singh said.

Within a matter of minutes, Mr Singh said the suspects had grabbed the money and started their escape. However, their escape was cut short.

According to Mr Singh, a friend of his had also come to KFC. “When he saw armed men jump out of a Nissan Maxima which parked next to him, he refrained from entering the store and immediately called the police,” he said.

Police cornered the men outside a local restaurant, where gun fire was exchanged.

During the shootout, one suspect was injured and a total of three suspects were taken into custody. Two pistols and a toy gun were recovered and the brazen robbers’ car was found the next day in Dannhauser.

Gail Sham, Corporate Communications Manager of KFC South Africa, confirmed R3 500 was taken during the robbery, but the cash was the least of their concerns. “At KFC, the safety of our customers and employees is of the utmost importance to us. We are aware of the incident at KFC Newcastle and take this very seriously,” she said.

With some of the suspects still at large, Mr Singh said what he found most frightening was how brazen the men were.

“It was busy and they did not care. They could have shot a lot of people. The guy who had the gun to my head, the way he cocked his pistol, he sounded like a professional,” he explained.

While he admitted the situation was scary, especially with the gun fire, Mr Singh said there was a moment when he and another patron shared a laugh.

“The gunfire sounded like it was coming from the back of the store and a man tapped me and said we should eat the chicken before we die,” he joked.

Has the experience hampered Mr Singh’s appetite for KFC?

He laughed saying his Friday routine would most likely continue.

“I might use the drive-thru though.”