Three armed men robbed Duratec Batteries in Geduld on March 31, stealing jewellery, cellphones, cash and car batteries. They also injured the co-owner’s mother.

The business’s co-owner, Hein Henning, said he was not at the shop during the incident, but his mother and employees were present.

He explained how the men posed as customers pretending to test a car battery.

“They pulled out guns. They held one of our technicians at gunpoint while he was testing the battery. The other came around the counter and forced the driver and my mom to the ground. They hurt her; they weren’t gentle,” he said.

Henning said the robbers took jewellery, cellphones and cash from the safe, along with close to 50 batteries.

“A neighbour tried to intervene but they hit him in the ribs with a pistol. Another customer then came in and saw what was happening, and I think that’s what spooked them. They got into their vehicles and left,” he said.

Henning added that the incident has had a negative impact on staff.

“We have been here for almost 12 years, and this is the first time we’ve been robbed like this. My mother is still sore from being roughly handled, and the staff are still a bit rattled,” he said.

With so much stolen, Henning said the business has been financially affected, especially given the current economic situation.

“Our business is indirectly linked to fuel prices, so when they go up, battery sales go down,” he explained.

He stressed the importance of the community taking a stand against crime.

“I think as South Africans, crime has become so normalised when it should be frowned upon. I believe we should stand together against this scourge,” he said.

A case was opened at Springs Police Station, and the matter is under investigation.

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