Members of the Hillbrow Community Health Centre checking if pensioners in the queue have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Pensioners braved icy cold conditions as they stood in line outside Marshalltown Post Office to collect their grants. Photo: Masego Mafata/GroundUp
Brave pensioners chase armed robbers who stole bags of cash at a Post Office
Three armed robbers allegedly entered a Post Office, held up staff and demanded cash. Pensioners were able to chase two of the suspects.
Members of the Hillbrow Community Health Centre checking if pensioners in the queue have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Pensioners braved icy cold conditions as they stood in line outside Marshalltown Post Office to collect their grants. Photo: Masego Mafata/GroundUp
Two suspected robbers are expected to appear before the Durban Magistrates Court in KwaZulu-Natal after they allegedly robbed a Post Office and were apprehended by brave pensioners.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, 2 November which was a social grant payout day for pensioners, three armed men entered a Post Office in Lamontville and held up the staff in full view of pensioners who were present.
PENSIONERS APPREHEND ROBBERS
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), there were about 200 elderly people who waited patiently for their pension payouts when the gunmen entered and held the staff.
Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said at gunpoint, the suspects forced the manager and staff to open the safe and they stole two bags containing cash.
Gwala said a group of senior citizens gathered and chased the suspects and managed to apprehend two men.
“Unfortunately the suspect who was carrying cash and had a firearm managed to flee the scene into the bushes. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported. The suspects aged 26 and 28 were placed under arrest and will appear in court on charges of business robbery.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala
The incident comes just days after a female homeowner was seriously injured after she shot dead one of the alleged armed robbers who had invaded her home in Waller Crescent in Morningside, Durban.
According to emergency service Emer-G-Med, reports from the scene are that a female homeowner suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was found in a critical condition.
Spokesperson, Kyle van Reenen said Advanced Life Support intervention was needed to stabilise her before she was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further care.
“A male approximately thirty years of age was found to have sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead on arrival of paramedics.
“Reports from the scene allege that a number of armed robbers forced entry into the home holding up the family and a shooting ensued with the suspect suffering fatal gunshot wounds.”
Kyle van Reenen
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