Money-grabbing frenzy as robbers drop R200k haul

ARMED robbers were widely hailed as “heroes” on social media after they dropped a brandy box containing R200 000 of looted cash at a bustling taxi rank.

The gang had robbed Village Liquor Store in Duncan Village last Tuesday at 12.30pm.

However, queries by the Dispatch revealed that the gang, rather than being generous, might have been a bunch of clumsy butterfingers and dropped the cash in their haste to get away.

Three packers and trolley pushers, who were too afraid to be named, said the gang had been wearing BCM work uniforms and had, in fact, dropped the money by accident.

The incident created a money-grabbing frenzy at the township’s busiest market as hawkers, shoppers and children scooped up the cash bonanza.

The three armed robbers shot Village Liquor Store manager Gavin Myburgh in his leg, the bullet slamming into his femur, and then helped themselves to his business takings, said Myburgh.

He said the robbers dropped the money after Myburgh’s bodyguard, known as the “sniper”, fired multiple shots at them.

Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni yesterday confirmed they were investigating a case of attempted murder and business robbery.

Tonjeni said three suspects had been arr At the time of writing, Tonjeni was till drafting a full statement.

Myburgh told the Dispatch yesterday it was the third time he had been shot by robbers attacking his brother’s liquor outlets.

Now they had hired a private company to handle their cash collections.

“It is too risky. We can’t take any chances any more,” said Myburgh, of King William’s Town, who is using a walker after doctors removed bone splinters and pinned his leg together.

“They shot me at close-range. The bullet penetrated right through my leg and hit the ground.

“Police ground.

“It is the most excruciating pain I have ever felt,” said Myburgh, who was hospitalised for five days.

He said two men approached him, one from the front and another from behind, while he was carrying cash in a brandy box.

“The one in the front bumped me and the other one shot me.”

The robbery took 15 seconds, according to Ikon Security operations manager Ray Weppelman.

A witness, who asked not to be named, said children had grabbed the lion’s share of the money. — picked that bullet up from the