An off-duty law enforcement officer who was shot and wounded during an attempted cash-in-transit heist at Goldman Shopping Centre on June 12, was discharged from hospital on Tuesday, June 16. 

The incident unfolded when four armed men travelling in a Toyota bakkie allegedly attempted to rob a Fidelity cash-in-transit vehicle before fleeing the scene. The matter remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Steven Vorster said he had been at the shopping centre to apply for a new ID.

While he and a colleague were waiting in their vehicle for the bank’s system to come online, he decided to buy something to drink at SPAR. Moments later, gunfire erupted.

“I immediately took cover between my vehicle and another car. I stood there watching everything unfold, and at that stage nothing had happened to me,” he recalled.

• Read the initial article here: Off-duty officer wounded during attempted cash-in-transit robbery in Florida

Vorster said that after several minutes of hearing gunfire, he drew his firearm for protection.

“I stood there for minutes, and nothing happened to me, but when I took out my firearm, they started shooting at me from behind,” he said.

“When I turned around, I saw two suspects carrying a rifle and a 9mm handgun. They shot me in the leg. I then quickly ran towards the bank side, and they shot my leg again.”

Vorster sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and buttocks. Despite being armed, he did not return fire.

Having worked in law enforcement for 13 years, he said this was the first time he had been wounded in the line of duty.

The married father of two explained that over the years, he has prepared himself mentally for the harsh realities of his profession.

“I’m very grateful to be alive because, with the amount of blood that was coming out, I thought they had hit an artery. I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it,” he said.

Vorster also expressed gratitude to the members of the public who came to his aid.

“I’m thankful to the bank employee who lent me his belt so I could tie my leg. I am also grateful to the two gentlemen who rushed me to the clinic while we waited for an ambulance. They even lent me their phone so I could call my wife because my phone had been shot and exploded.”

Family launches fundraiser

Although his medical expenses are being covered, Vorster said the incident has placed significant financial pressure on his family.

Doctors expect him to remain at home for about two months while undergoing physiotherapy and recovering from his injuries.

To help ease the burden, the family has launched a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign to assist with expenses arising from the incident, including lost household income due to his wife’s reduced working hours, transport costs to and from hospital appointments, additional childcare expenses and recovery-related care needs.

“Any contribution, no matter the amount, will go directly towards helping my family remain financially stable while I focus on healing and recovery,” said Vorster.

People wishing to contribute can do so via the family’s BackaBuddy campaign.