Police said a team of detectives is following up on all leads to track down the heavily armed robbers who recently targeted shops at Eastrand Junction and made off with R750 000 worth of goods.
They reportedly randomly opened fire on the victims and the bullets damaged the building and customers’ vehicles.
During the robbery, the gang of balaclava-clad gunmen stormed the centre and invaded two shops, stealing cellphones, watches and sunglasses.
The Boksburg North police have expressed concern about the high calibre weapons used during the attack at the centre.
It’s also believed that the gang may be linked to other robberies in the country and that they will possibly continue committing robberies, most likely targeting similar establishments.
Police appealed for the public’s help to track down the robbers.
The gang of about 16 robbers, armed with AK-47 and R5 rifles and 9mm pistols, were seen fleeing the scene in three vehicles – a white Ford Fiesta, gun-metal grey Audi and a grey VW.
Beef up security
Meanwhile, Eastrand Junction centre management said the incident has prompted them to beef up security to try and combat similar incidents from happening again.
“Security plans have been stepped up at the centre and we will do our utmost to prevent this from happening again.
“We are now working with other stakeholders who are advising us on what additional measures we should consider,” said centre manager Muhammed.
Muhammed pointed out that although the centre already had security measures in place at the time of the incident, the latest incident pointed to a few security areas that require improvement to ensure the safety of both customers and the staff at the centre.
The centre has since been reopened.
Terrifying ordeal
Residents, who took to social media to express their concerns, described the robbery as a terrifying experience for those who were on scene.
Others questioned the security measures in place at the centre, saying there is a need for the management to relook at its security measures.
Facebook comments:
Amelia Ferreira da Silva: Security must be stepped up. If it’s a lonesome lady coming to shop … allow. If it’s two, three suspicious males target that car.
Emmanuel Eric Johns: That shopping centre must just close or up its security with armed security. Check how secured Dragon City, China City, Bruma and Oriental Plaza in Joburg is.
Emmanuel Eric Johns: Why not have armed guards there since it’s been struck more than five times already since it opened. Maybe it’s high time the tenants close shops and vacate since it’s not safe, just like East Rand Mall
Chantelle Grobelny: Wow, this is crazy. This is like the third or fourth time already. I’m definitely staying away from that centre.
Graeme Preston: It sounded like the Wild Wild West.
Teresa Branco: My poor children were held in the cellphone shop at gunpoint while robbers were robbing the stores, thank God they were not harmed.
Frik Dorfling: Security at those gates could immediately contact the police or other security companies when 16 men arrived in a car or are we just supposed to be non-pro-active?
Saskia Samuel: Where the hell are these people getting all these heavy ammunition from? We are truly under siege in this country. This lawlessness has to be tackled! We cannot continue like this.
Syed Mehmood: Thanks to Bheki Cele, criminals have more rights than the citizens. We cannot protect our own property. Disarm the citizens and arm the criminals.
Paula Smith: R5 rifle is what the SADF use. Wouldn’t be surprised if members of the police and defence force were involved.
Emmanuel Eric Johns: Chinese and others occupying Oriental Plaza, Dragon City, China Mall know how to safeguard their investments. When you get there, guards are armed with high-calibre equipment and you feel safe.
Martie Smit: On a Saturday morning at 10:00. I guess online shopping is the way to go.
Rodrick Harold: This type of robbery is war. There can be so many fatalities if anything goes slightly wrong. This is terrible!
Tino Beck: Ineffective police and minister.
Lee Lahner: Bheki, we accept your resignation.
Maudy Allen: Welcome to our wonderful SA “since 1994”.
Jaco le Roux: Do we have a police force in South Africa? Yet, they want to disarm law-abiding citizens but cannot keep AK-47s out of the hands of criminals.
Also Read:Heavily armed gang opens fire in parking lot, robs two stores
Also Read:Customer shot during business robbery
