Cape Town - Dramatic images, captured on CCTV, of the tragic China Town robbery on Sunday that claimed the life of a 73-year-old business owner – who was shot in the head and neck – have been doing the rounds online.
Two witnesses and a Cape Town Chinese Community Policing Forum representative, Gang Dong, confirmed to the Cape Argus that the images showing the attackers pointing guns at shoppers were authentic frames captured from CCTV cameras installed in and around the shopping complex. The images have been circulating on social media networks.
The images depict a tense stand-off between the armed criminals and the business owner. One frame appears to show one of the men reaching for his gun inside his jacket pocket.
Another two images circulated allegedly portray the dramatic exit as the gunmen threaten shoppers while making their escape. One of the men is wearing a black hooded top and dark jeans. The final image clearly shows the face of the fourth suspected robber wearing a black hooded top and a peak cap.
Dong said the Chinese community was shocked by the robbery. “This is a big shock to the Chinese community in the Western Cape and South Africa and, with development of new technology, people all over the world know what happened. The people in China are also shocked.”
He said the business owners at China Town in Ottery were uncertain as to whether they should still trade or leave the country. “People are asking ‘must I stay or must I go’? We love South Africa as our own and want to make a living here but crime is unbelievable.”
He said he was pleased with the quality of the footage alleged to depict the attack as this could help solve the case. “In the past we had no clear video footage but now (it) provided a clear image of the crime.”
A witness – who asked not to be named – said he could clearly remember a man with a black top and black cap facing towards the shop, shooting as he ran towards the gates of the complex. The witness told the Cape Argus he was sitting on a bench with his 13-year-old son not far from the shop that was targeted.
“The gate was closed. I saw the guys running, then I saw the guy running from the store – I could see the gunfire. I can remember him because he was the one shooting as the other two ran behind him. What I could not understand was when they (the security guards) closed the gate, they did not shoot back. It took them (the robbers) a few minutes to scale the electric fence to escape. They struggled for a few minutes because of the fence wire. The security could have retaliated but I don’t think they had guns.”
A Pakistani national, Balowar Hossain, whose white Opel Corsa bakkie was used as a getaway car, also identified the men allegedly seen in the images.
Hossain was driving on the main road on Sunday when he was reportedly hijacked at gunpoint by the men. He said he was concentrating on the man he saw lying in the road in front of his car. The next thing he noticed was the barrel of a gun pointed at his face.
“I was so nervous, I am not sure. I was driving. They were African men definitely. One of them wore a black hooded jacket.
“I could see their faces but they wore dark jeans, as well. I have not received any feedback about my bakkie that the robbers stole. Police have not called me. I have never received any phone calls from anyone, I just have a case number,” he said.
Police spokeswoman Noloyiso Rwexana on Sunday confirmed that police were investigating a case of murder, business robbery and hijacking. She said no arrests had been made.
Police also refused to comment on the images circulating on social media.
The robbery comes just days after the Triggs Jewellers in Cavendish Square was robbed of luxury watches, also by armed suspects.
Cape Argus