DURBAN – The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has condemned the looting of two jewellery stores in Phoenix following robbery on Monday, 15 November 2021, by a highly armed gang.

“Whilst we have launched a manhunt for the gang who initially robbed the jewellery stores we will spare no effort in ensuring that those bystanders that made themselves criminals by robbing both stores themselves, are also investigated fully for their actions. Communities are once again warned that they become criminals when they help themselves to property at crime scenes. We will not tolerate such acts of criminality in the province and those that were responsible for the mayhem witnessed today will be brought to book,” he said.

It is alleged that a gang of heavily armed men robbed two jewellery stores at a mall in Phoenix on Monday, 15 November 2021. The suspects fired shots in the air as they made their getaway and fortunately no person was injured. Phoenix police officers who were stationed in close proximity to the mall immediately responded and there was a shootout between the police officers and the suspects on the Phoenix Highway. The gang who were armed with high calibre firearms caused extensive damage to the police vehicle before fleeing with their loot. The police officers were able to escape unscathed during the attack. Police at Phoenix have assembled a team to hunt down the robbers.

It is alleged that after the gang had fled, bystanders who witnessed the robbery, entered both stores and stole the remaining jewellery whilst threatening the highly traumatised staff. The investigation team will also pursue robbery charges against the culprits responsible for the crimes that were committed in the aftermath of the first robbery.

Source: South African Police Service