Two robbers, posing as census workers, held up two men in Kensington, Johannesburg on the first day of the national census, according to a report on Tuesday.
The incident happened on Monday, when Godwin Symons and a friend, Raymond Sassu, were busy having lunch at a house in Kitchener Avenue.
Symons said the doorbell rang and two men in green jackets told him over the intercom they were census workers, according to Beeld newspaper.
He opened the gate.
“One of the men pointed a pistol at me. Raymond came out of the kitchen where we were eating and they ordered him to his knees and tied him up.”
The men stole a firearm, four Kruger Rands, about R5 000 in cash and a laptop. One of the men kicked Sassu and pointed a firearm at him, but Symons said he shouted in isiZulu, “Don't shoot! Don't shoot!”
The men ran away after firing a shot at Symons. He was unhurt.
Census workers wear yellow jackets and ID tags. Members of the public can call 0800-110-248 to verify the enumerators' identities. - Sapa