KZN robbery: Ten suspects arrested after shootout with police

Ten armed suspects were allegedly involved in the robbery of a supermarket in Harding KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on 15 December 2019. 

When police officers arrived at the scene, they were met with gunfire and a shootout between them and the alleged robbers ensued. 

Details of the robbery 

According to Arrive Alive, it was alleged that on 15 December 2019 at 11:00, a group of armed men stormed a supermarket situated in Harding and held up the employees. 

They pointed at patrons and employees with firearms and instructed them to lie down whilst demanding cash.

South African Police Service (SAPS) officers at Harding were immediately alerted to the robbery and promptly arrived on the scene. 

When police arrived at the scene they were met with gunfire and a shootout ensued. 

Police arrest suspects 

A total of six suspects, aged between 26 and 35 were arrested at the scene, while three firearms and ammunition were seized. 

The suspects were also found in possession of stolen cash and airtime.

Other police units also responded as a getaway vehicle was spotted travelling towards Camperdown on the R56 Thornville Road. 

The suspects were intercepted at the Umlaas Road interchange and a further four suspects, aged between 26 and 38 were placed under arrest.

They were found in possession of two unlicensed firearms and 16 rounds of ammunition. 

More cash and airtime vouchers that were stolen were recovered from the suspects. 

All the arrested suspects will be appearing at the Harding and Camperdown Magistrates Court on 17 December 2019 for being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

“Criminals should realise by now that we are out in full force this festive season. These arrests demonstrate that we are committed to fighting crime in our province and our rapid reaction capability has proven successful whenever it has been tested,” said the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula.

Robbery statistics in KZN 

According to Crime Stats South Africa, there has been a serious increase in common robbery in KZN from 2018 to 2019. In 2018, the total number of reported robberies under the ‘common robbery’ bracket was at 6 596. This year, the number increased to 7 058. 

Robbery with aggravating circumstances in KZN increased from 2018 to 2019 but by 390 incidents vs the 462 incidents under common robbery.