In the past few weeks, Highveld Centre was the centre of attention with business robberies increasing on a daily basis.
“Small businesses are becoming the target for armed robbers,” said the spokesperson from Witbank SAPS, Captain Eddie Hall.
On August 24 Mr Qadeer Ahmed had to look on as six armed men took his hard earned money.
“You know this is the third armed robbery that took place in this exact same building only a few weeks apart. Unluckily my staff and I had to be victims as well,” said Ahmed.
While telling the terrifying story about the cruel robbers Ahmed showed WITBANK NEWS the security footage and said,
“this video tells you everything about the thugs robbing us business owners left, right and centre.”
It began like most small business robberies, a thug pretending to be a customer but it made an ugly turn when armed men jumped on the cashier counter demanding cash.
Highveld Centre is a target for robberies
“What amuses me is the way they act before they descend. I mean one of the robbers that entered the store actually made space for customers leaving my shop and even my staff doing their duties,” Ahmed said angrily.
But on the video clip that was provided it is clear that the robbers immediately changed their act when the incident took place.
VIDEO: Highveld Fish and Chips Café robbery on August 24.
“They started pushing and throwing customers onto the floor so they could proceed,” the owner said.
He further alleged that one of his staff members that works in the back of his shop jumped on the robbers and alerted nearby business owners with hysterical screams and reacted wisely to press the panic button.
“I will always be thankful for him acting so fast and saved our lives in a way,” he said.
The robbers got away with all the cash flow.
“If they had more time they would probably take more,” Ahmed said further.
The robbers did not stop there and took on another target just two days and two shop’s away from Ahmed.
On August 26, King Pie that is situated in the centre itself was the next target. Preparing to close after a hard day’s work, staff members rolled down the roller door. As the roller door was closed halfway two unknown men, one armed surprised the vulnerable workers. They demanded the staff to go to the back and and lie down facing the floor. Raiding the shop for cash as well as valuables, the thugs took everything they could lay their gloved hands on.
The manager of the shop, Mr Johanna Msibi said,
“The victim’s that were involved in this ordeal is still in shock but will eventually be fine.”
WITBANK NEWS recently did a story on two other businesses in the same area that has also been robbed.
“I personally think that it is the same gang going around here,” Ahmed said.
Hall advised all these small businesses to go bank regularly.
“It is an easy target for easy cash if owners only bank once a week,” he concluded.
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