The incident where a 25-year-old woman was injured after she fell down the stairs at Mall of the South on Monday, October 12, is not related to the robbery which occurred.
Initial reports from emergency services regarding the link between the two incidents was withdrawn late yesterday afternoon by Russel Meiring, ER 24 spokesperson. In the updated report it stated that, “the woman critically injured in a fall at a mall is not directly related to the shooting at the mall. They occurred roughly at the same time but were not directly related as initially reported. Our apologies for the miscommunication.”
During the robbery it was alleged that five shots were heard as six robbers went inside Browns Jewellery Store on Monday afternoon, just after 14:00.
Jason Fourie, a tactical response officer from Hi Zone Security Services, said when he arrived at the mall, security approached him and asked him to be a spotter.
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“I waited outside and managed to corner a suspect driving a blue Astra with no number plates. The suspect was then apprehended and taken into custody by the SAPS,” he said.
“Other SAPS members arrived on the scene, together with other security members.”
Gerrit Flazus, an advanced life support (ALS) paramedic for ER24, told the RECORD that they treated one patient for a skull fracture and a neck injury after she tried to flee the shopping centre when she heard the shots.
At the time the report came through from Fourie, many shops were still closed as security, Johannesburg Flying Squad, Mondeor SAPS and Community Policing Forum (CPF) members were clearing the shops one at a time. “A total of five shots were fired as the suspects ran through the mall, as witnessed by many shoppers,” he said.
Later reports which came through said the mall was open for trade.
It is believed that the suspects fled towards Turffontein in a green Hyundai Tucson (TYZ 287 GP).
