Police have arrested five suspects following a brazen robbery at Gateway Theatre of Shopping. On Sunday afternoon, 12 April, heavily armed suspects allegedly used explosives to target a jewellery store, shooting two security officers during their escape. Police later arrested the suspects in Umlazi.
KZN police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza confirmed that police arrested five people between the ages of 20 and 44 on Monday 13 April in connection with the incident and recovered R3 million in stolen goods. He said: “While processing the scene at the mall, police received crucial information that the suspects in the robbery were seeking a buyer of the stolen items at Umlazi. Police officers from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit, as well as the eThekwini District Task Team, swiftly acted on the intelligence and proceeded to Umlazi in search of the suspects.”
Magwaza said: “During the operation, jewellery estimated to be valued at R3 million was recovered, as well as clothing, bank cards, and mobile routers.”
Speaking to Tabloid Newspapers, SAPS spokesperson for the eThekwini District, Captain Jasanathan Naidoo, confirmed the robbery took place at Premjis Jewellery between 2pm and 3pm. He said: “It is alleged that more than five armed suspects, carrying handguns and high-calibre rifles, robbed the store of approximately R5 million in cash and goods. Police have since made arrests and recovered a portion of the stolen property.”
The arrested suspects were charged with business robbery as well as attempted murder. They are expected to appear at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 15 April. Investigations are still ongoing. Shoppers expressed their shock on social media, with many calling for stricter access control and increased visible policing at major hubs.
Spokesperson for KZN VIP and KZN VIP Medics, Gareth Naidoo said: “It is alleged that multiple suspects, armed with high-calibre firearms, were seen exiting the mall when a confrontation ensued between the suspects and on-site security personnel. During the incident, two security officers sustained gunshot wounds.”
Naidoo added that medics and multiple security stakeholders responded swiftly. One injured officer was treated on-site before being transported to a nearby medical facility, while a second injured officer was privately transported for further treatment.
Spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), Prem Balram, noted that reaction officers were inundated with calls from frantic shoppers. “According to information received, a group of armed suspects held up a jewellery store inside the mall. As the suspects attempted to flee, they opened fire with rifles on an armed response officer who was entering the mall in his vehicle. The officer was struck during the exchange,” Balram said.
The Gateway Theatre of Shopping management was contacted for comment; however, no response had been received at the time of print.
