eMalahleni has been stricken by two daring robberies, with a petrol station and a local utility company’s office being targeted in separate incidents.

In the first incident, according to the police reports, the complainant alleges that on January 25, while working as a cashier at a local petrol station, he was unexpectedly blocked by four men as he was assisting a customer.

Upon assisting the customer, one of the men allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at the customer, ordering him to flee through the back door quickly.

As instructed by the suspect, the complainant went through the back door, where he was approached by two more alleged armed suspects who confronted him, and demanded the complainant to give them money.

The suspects took off with cigarettes and an unidentified sum of money.

In the second incident, a local utility company’s offices were also targeted by robbers.

According to the police reports, the complainant alleges that on January 25, he was on patrol with his colleague when four men, who were allegedly armed, forced them to the guard room.

The complainant said that the suspects broke into the storeroom, removed the tires from the three vehicles, and stole a cellphone.

The complainant explained that the suspects gained access to the premises by removing a concrete slab at the back of the offices and climbing over and underneath a barbed wire fence.

The suspects fled the scene with goods valued at thousands of rands.

“Witbank SAPS have noticed an increase in business robberies, specifically at smaller businesses in town. The Witbank SAPS requests small businesses to implement preventative measures against business robberies. Controlled entrances are important in preventing overcrowding in your premises; make sure you have measures in place to restrict movement at entrances and exits to your business for both staff and customers,” said Captain Eddie Hall, a spokesperson from the Witbank Police Station.

The police are investigating the incidents.

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