DURBAN - Armed robbers held up staff at the Makro Liquor store in Umbogintwini in the Amanzimtoti area on Monday and made off with alcohol and cash.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the robbery took place at 4pm on Monday.
Mbele said an employee at the liquor store was performing her duties along with other employees when they were allegedly accosted by a group of armed suspects.
“At gunpoint they instructed the staff to lie down, robbed them of cash, cellphones and eight boxes of assorted liquor,” she said.
The armed robbers fled the scene in their getaway vehicle.
Brian Leroni, senior vice-president for group corporate affairs at Massmart, which owns Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse among other stores, confirmed that the Makro Amanzimtoti liquor store was robbed.
Leroni said the robbers made off with cash and liquor. The value of the stolen goods was not disclosed.
“We would like to acknowledge the exceptionally fast and professional response of the South African Police Service,” he said.
In a business robbery notice on Facebook, the Amanzimtoti crime and news alert group, said five suspects posing as shoppers entered the store and loaded trolleys with expensive liquor before taking out their guns and holding up staff.
Police said a case of robbery was opened at Amanzimtoti police station for investigation.
THE MERCURY