Shop shoot-out suspects in court

Published Oct 29, 2014

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Durban - Eleven suspects, including a traditional healer, appeared in the Dundee Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday amid a heavy police presence, charged with the brazen robbery and shoot-out at the Pick and Win Supermarket in Victoria Street on Sunday.

The men, aged between 21 and 53, were all remanded in custody until November 4.

They are charged with business robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The police’s Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that 12 other gang members involved in the incident were still on the run.

They have launched a manhunt for the suspects, who are believed to be in the Vryheid area.

According to witnesses who were in the supermarket at the time, a gang of around 20 rifle-toting men stormed the supermarket, demanding cash and cellphones from staff and customers.

Sandile Zungu, who was in the supermarket buying milk and bread, said it was like something out of an action movie.

“When I saw the robbers coming into the store with their AK-47 rifles, I just hit the floor and put my hands over my head. Then I just heard bullets whizzing over me, glass cracking and women screaming. I honestly thought we were all going to die,” Zungu said.

Police were alerted to the robbery and responded in minutes. They came under fire from the robbers.

Two police officers, a supermarket security guard and four members of the community were wounded during the exchange of gunfire between the police and the robbers.

Police chased down the robbers, arresting 11 of the suspects and recovering five unlicensed firearms, as well as R20 000 in stolen cash.

Daily News

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