Deputy AfriForum CEO and family celebrating a birthday in Centurion when armed robber is shot and killed
Ernst Roets and his family got caught up in an armed robbery at the Centurion Lifestyle Centre on Sunday evening. One robber was shot and killed.
Deputy CEO of AfriForum, Ernst Roets and his family were eating out at a family restaurant in Centurion Lifestyle Centre on Sunday evening when armed robbers stormed into the restaurant.
Roets with his wife, Lelanie and their four sons Xander (7) Christiaan (6) and Lourens (2) was celebrating their eldest son, Ernst’s 10th birthday.
Roets had just finished paying for their meal and was carrying Lourens in his arms when he heard the gunshots.
According to Roets, a gang of three to five men entered the restaurant.
“At first it didn’t sound like gunshots to me, but when I saw pieces of wood from the restaurant tables flying into the air, I knew what was happening and immediately hit the ground.
“My wife was in the upstairs part of the restaurant with the other children when the shots were fired.
“I called to her and told her we were safe.”
Roets said he immediately contacted private security who arrived on the scene within five minutes.
“Luckily, an off-duty security guard was eating in the restaurant and reacted quickly. He shot and killed one of the robbers,” said Roets.
The remaining robbers fled the scene. No one was injured.
Roets said he and his family were shocked by the incident.
“We were all very shaken, especially the older children because they understood what was happening.
“The robber who was shot and killed fell dead right in front of us and we had to crawl over his body to get out from underneath the table where we were hiding.
“Fortunately, one of our friends is a psychologist and is prepared to give us counselling,” Roets told Rekord.
According to Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen, paramedics responded to the incident at the popular family restaurant in a shopping mall in Centurion.
“A man aged around 30 sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead upon arrival by paramedics.”
He said it was believed that the deceased was a suspect in an armed robbery incident.
Police are investigating.
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