A robbery victim put up a fight when he shot one of the suspects in an attempt to stop them from escaping with social club money of nearly R200 000 at a shopping centre in the north of Pretoria on Friday.
Two men from a Soshanguve social club were at Wonderpark shopping centre to deposit nearly R200 000 at around 16:20 when they were allegedly ambushed and attacked by two armed men.
Police spokesperson Constable Lindiwe Mabasa said victims were depositing money at an ATM when suddenly two African males appeared. One pointed a firearm at them and demanded the money they had on them.
“One of the victims ran inside the bank to seek help and when he returned he noticed the suspects running away. He shot at them, injuring one suspect,” Mabasa said.
Despite the shooting the robbers managed to flee the scene in a getaway car.
“The bank manager recovered a certain portion of the money, which is believed to have fallen at the scene, and it was handed over to the legal owners.” The robbers ran away with about R190 000.
She said a shopper, who was at the ATM at the time of the robbery, was also shot and injured, adding that “she was stable and is currently recovering in hospital”.
Police are investigating a case of armed robbery and attempted murder.
“Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and urged anyone with further information to contact them on 012 564 0700 or the station commander directly on 082 498 7545,” she said.
“The public is urged to refrain from carrying large sums of money but rather to use digital methods available to make bank transactions. Social club members should seek escorts at police stations in compelling situations.”
Theresa Park resident Quintin van der Merwe (40) who was at the shopping centre with his eight-year-old son, said there was chaos and a stampede as hundreds of shoppers ran in fear for their lives.
“We went out for a father and son fun date for Christmas shopping,” he said.
“When the shooting happened, we were at Panarottis and had just finished our meal. My son was at the playground.”
Shooting Wondepark, Akasia, north of Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/IBFtSqIir2
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 2, 2022
Van der Merwe said the gunshots first sounded like breaking glass until he saw panic-stricken shoppers running towards the exit.
“A lot of people were running and some ran inside Panarottis.
“People went under the tables. The take-a-lot drivers were lying all over the floor, people were falling over each other. It is the end of the month so there were a lot of people there. It was just chaos.
“I even screamed at some people who were standing in the restaurant to get under the tables because they could get shot.”
He said he grabbed his son from the playground and pushed him down and went to the bathroom.
“The wall of the bathroom is concrete, I stuck him behind the basin, so if there was a gunshot it would not get him.
“I waited about five minutes and called my wife to tell her what was happening.
“We went out, trying to get to the car, but on our way there we heard three gunshots and we had to run back.”
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Van der Merwe said they went back into the bathroom again.
“When we got out we heard that a lady was shot in the leg.”
Within minutes, sounds of a helicopter hovering over the mall were heard, he said.
“I was quite impressed with the fast response from the police, because the helicopter was there in just a few minutes,” he added.
Van der Merwe said the ordeal was horrible and traumatic for his son.
“When we got home my son said his legs were shaking. It was a shock.
“Knowing that my son was in danger, I cannot tell you how scared I was for his life.”
Management of the shopping centre have published a statement confirming the shooting.
“We are grateful for the quick response from our security company and the Gauteng police.
“The safety of our loyal shoppers, mall staff, and stores is always our first priority and therefore protocols are in place to avoid a shootout in the mall at all costs.
“Safety protocols at Wonderpark shopping centre are of a high standard, especially as we are gearing up toward the festive season,” said Elizma Mouton, marketing manager of Wonderpark Shopping Centre.
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