The shoot-out on April 8 had a very sad aftermath as a cash-in-transit guard Mr Charl Niemand (25), who was shot during the robbery, died on scene.
Police spokesperson Capt Eddie Hall said an unknown number of suspects (more than 10) were involved. The suspects were allegedly stationed in strategic places in and around the shopping centre where it seemed they planned to rob a cash in transit guard.
He said a few of the suspects armed with handheld firearms, were waiting for the guard inside the shopping centre where he (the guard) was shot and killed.
The suspects, who grabbed the money case which the guard from G4S was carrying, did not get far before a security mechanism caused the case to explode.
“Police officers who were on duty and had been patrolling the area, heard the gunshot inside the centre and went to investigate,” Capt Hall stated further.
Police were met by a number of suspects waiting outside the centre. Chaos erupted as bullets flew across the parking area.
The police followed three get-away vehicles used by the suspects to flee the scene.
More shots were fired at two of the vehicles, a Corsa bakkie and Toyota Yaris.
One of the suspected robbers was shot and fatally wounded in Albertyn Street not far from the shopping centre.
“We are following up on every lead and we are expecting arrests soon,” Capt Hall said.
