The Strandfontein Community Policing Forum came to the rescue of the owners of a huiswinkeltjie who were locked up inside their shop by armed robbers on Tuesday evening.
Four unidentified men entered the shop in Canadian Street in Bayview as the shopkeeper unlocked the gate for his landlord to enter.
One armed skelm forced the men inside.
The intruders stole two cellphones, cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash.
A neighbour, who heard their desperate calls for help, called the police and the CPF.
CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter says the CPF secretary was called by Strandfontein police for a bolt cutter.
TEAM UP: CPF’s Sandy Shuter
“The shopkeeper was still locked up behind the gate, inside the shop. We went to assist.
“We encourage residents to join the existing safety structures in Strandfontein, to assist in being visible in our community.
“The responsibility cannot rest only on SAPS or other safety agencies. We need more active citizenry,” she says.
SAPS spokesman, Captain FC van Wyk, says there were no arrests.
“Just after 8pm, a 24-year-old complainant was busy opening the shop in Canadian Street, Bay View for his landlord to come in when four unidentified suspects forced them inside.
“One of the suspects pointed him with a firearm while others took cigarettes, two cellular telephones and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“A business robbery case was registered for investigation. No shots were fired and no injuries sustained.”
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