Ziyanda Sidumo
14 November 2008
A gang of armed robbers escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash when they hit a payout point for pensioners in Gugulethu, leaving the elderly people traumatised.
The incident took place at the Ikhwezi Community Hall in NY2, Gugulethu, when three guards on duty at the entrance were approached by two armed men on foot.
While the men held the guards at gunpoint, several more suspects arrived in a white Opel Corsa bakkie and a silver BMW, and entered the building, firing shots.
No one was injured but the pensioners waiting in the queue were traumatised.
The robbers opened the money boxes in the hall, took an undisclosed amount of cash and returned to the cars.
Pensioners had to be transported by minibus to another nearby pay point to receive their pensions.
An upset Nomzamo Njokeni said: "How can these people do this to us? They know this is the only money we use to survive."
A witness, Nomzamo Mantashe, said she saw two young men in the queue with the elderly people. When it was their turn to enter the premises, she said they kicked a security guard and took his gun.
"The security guard at the gate was beaten up while the others ran away," she said.
"The men pulled out their guns and took the guard's gun too. They started shooting and then their friends came in the cars."
The police said the Corsa was found abandoned in Philippi.
A follow-up investigation confirmed that the Corsa was reported stolen in Lansdowne recently.
"The suspects are still at large," said police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn.
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