Customers and staff at the Shoprite store in Westridge, Mitchells Plain, were held hostage by unknown gunmen during a robbery.
Watch: Westridge Shoprite robbery escalates into hostage situation
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In a statement to Swisher Post, Cape Town police spokesperson Captain F.C Van Wyk confirmed the tense situation unfolded at the food retailer situated in Simonsberg Road/
Witness statements received by police indicate Shoprite staffers who usually arrive early at the supermarket to prepare for the business day were “approached by four unidentified armed men who were dressed in security uniforms.”
“The workers were instructed to deactivate the alarm systems before entering the shop. All the staff members were held hostage at gunpoint as well as the safe-key holder who was threatened to open the safe,” Capt. Van Wyk revealed.
The robbers made off with wads of cash stashed in four bags, as well as cigarettes and cellphone devices, in a white, unmarked delivery vehicle.
Fortunately, no shots were fired and no injuries were sustained, Capt Van Wyk confirmed.
“Anyone with any information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” the statement concluded.
Watch the tense video footage of the events that unfolded outside the Westridge Shoprite supermarket, on Thursday morning.
