GRAPHIC IMAGE: Shop assistant puts up a brave fight against attempted murder-accused during robbery
“At the time I thought this is life. If I die today then that will be that but I believe God saved me from that situation,” attempted robbery survivor said.
A 31-year-old shop assistant narrowly escaped death when he was shot at twice, but both bullets missed him during an attempted business robbery in Silverton last week.
His attacker, Johan Jacobs (46), appeared at the Pretoria’s magistrate’s court on Monday for attempted murder, attempted business robbery and being in possession of an unlicenced firearm.
The shop assistant, who put up a brave fight against Jacobs during the foiled robbery, spoke to Rekord anonymously due to fear of victimisation.
“The robbery was just after 16:30. There were no customers. It was me and my manager in the store.
“The man walked in, grabbed biscuits, chips and an ice cream and walking towards the till he pulled out a gun.
“He ordered me to give him money and when I said I didn’t have any, he shot at me.
“The first bullet went above my shoulder and the second one scratched my abdomen a bit and I fell,” the shop assistant said.
The shop assistant said Jacobs then went to the till and demanded money from the shop manager.
“I got up from the back and grabbed him by his windpipe.”
He said Jacobs dropped his gun.
“I thought of taking the gun and shooting him but my hands were shaking a lot; I was scared and something in me did not allow it. I believe God did not want me to do that.
“I took the gun and instead hit him at the side of his head. He bled, while I did this I did not stop strangling him and did so until the police arrived. By then, he was full of blood.
“At the time I thought this is life. If I die today then that will be that, but I believe God saved me from that situation.”
Police spokesperson Warrant-Officer Isaac Mculu said police responded swiftly to the shooting after a witness called them.
“A 9mm parabellum firearm was found at the crime scene and it was seized.”
Mculu said the investigations were handled by detectives dealing with serious crimes.
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