Confusion over attempted Soweto mall heist

THERE was confusion yesterday as reports came flooding in about an attempted robbery of a cash-in-transit vehicle at Maponya Mall in Soweto.

Witnesses told of chaos when they heard gunfire next to the bank ATMs.

One witness, who was eating at McDonald’s during the incident, said she ran for her life. “I heard the bangs and I saw everyone running in different directions. It was crazy!”

Spilt Coca-Cola and bits of food that had been dropped by fleeing shoppers littered the floor near the restaurants as clean-up efforts began.

Another witness was standing near the entrance to the mall when he saw the robbers approach the ATM where the cash-in-transit guards were standing, he said.

“It happened quick-quick. I just saw the guard reach for his weapon and I ran in the opposite direction. I ran into the mall as the gunshots went off… there was a shootout and a lot of police arrived,” he said.

A car guard working near the scene said he took cover behind a car. “I thought there was going to be a lot of blood.

“There were bangs, and people outside were running back to their cars to hide or get away. You have to do what you need to when you fear for your life,” he added.

However, in a statement, the Maponya Mall management denied there had been an attempted robbery. But Gauteng police spokesman Major Mack Mngomezulu confirmed there had been one.

“There was an attempted armed robbery… Two men tried to rob security guards as they loaded money into the ATMs. One of the guards was able to fire a warning shot and the two men ran away,” he said.

The Maponya Mall statement said a security guard “accidentally discharged a registered weapon”.

The management added that they were investigating the incident.

Mngomezulu said no money was taken and that no injuries were reported.