Phoenix SAPS have launched a manhunt for an unknown number of suspects who shot and wounded a police officer and a civilian shortly after robbing Mayuri’s Jewellery store in the Phoenix Plaza Shopping Centre on Sunday morning, 28 July.
The heavily armed men fled the centre in three different vehicles. Constable Carol Mntambo, Phoenix SAPS communication officer, said: “The suspects stormed into a jewellery store at Phoenix Plaza and robbed the store of jewellery and money. As they fled from the scene, police officers, who are members of the Phoenix Trio Crimes Team, responded and chased a white bakkie in which the suspects were traveling. When the suspects began shooting at the police from the back of the bakkie, police retaliated and a shootout ensued.
“Two more getaway vehicles driven by another group of suspects began shooting at the police from behind which resulted in a police officer sustaining a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Another civilian who was walking along the road was also shot in the leg by the suspects. One vehicle which was used by the suspects was found abandoned at L Section in KwaMashu.”
Police confirmed that both the victims were transported to hospital and remain in stable condition. Head of the private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), Prem Balram said that several response vehicles, a police vehicle, and buildings were damaged when the suspects opened fire with high-calibre rifles following the robbery.
Balram said RUSA had received the initial call for assistance from a community police forum (CPF) member reporting a possible armed robbery in progress. “Reaction officers converged onto the scene and immediately came under attack. Several private security response officers and police officers swiftly responded to the scene and came under fire. A car chase and a gun battle ensued and the heavily armed suspects managed to evade arrest after shooting a civilian and a police officer,” said Balram.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Kayleen Moonsamy from Foreshaven, Phoenix, a patron at the mall who witnessed the shooting, said she has been left traumatised by the incident.
“My husband and I were having lunch at one of the restaurants at the mall when we heard screams, shouting, gunshots and saw people running in different directions. At first, we were confused as to what was going on, however, when people started running towards us screaming, we realised that there had been a robbery involving guns because everyone was trying to take cover. I am six months pregnant and anything could have happened to me and my baby. I was so traumatised and wished I had not been there. It’s very sad that as customers, we now have to fear for our lives when shopping for groceries or having a meal at a restaurant because we might get shot and killed by a stray bullet during these brazen robberies,” said Moonsamy.
KZN VIP spokesperson, Gareth Naidoo, said their members responded to the scene after receiving multiple calls and requests for assistance following a robbery involving approximately 15 armed suspects, who held up a jewellery store in Phoenix Plaza.
“The suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of valuables and opened fire as they were fleeing the Phoenix Plaza. They were seen getting into a white Polo, a white single-cab GWM, and another red vehicle. As emergency services were responding to the scene, suspects opened fire on a KZN VIP vehicle near the Unit 9 robots intersection. A further shootout occurred at Industrial Park where suspects opened fire injuring a police officer as well as an innocent motorist.
“Both patients were in critical condition and the officer was rushed privately to the hospital while the motorist was stabilised on scene by KZN VIP Medics together with Netcare 911 before being rushed rapidly to the hospital for further medical attention. SAPS and Metro closed off the scenes to continue their investigations,” added Naidoo.
This is not an isolated incident as the jewellery store has been robbed several times in the past few years. In November 2023, a gang of heavily armed men stormed the jewellery store and made off with an undisclosed amount of jewellery. It was alleged that the suspects fled the shopping centre in a VW Polo and an A-Class Mercedes-Benz with NUR registration plates.
Several gunshots were fired inside the mall as patrons ran to take refuge. The robbers fired multiple shots as they made their way towards the exit. Several 9mm rifle cartridges were recovered at the scene.
Phoenix Plaza management was contacted and was yet to comment by the time of print.
