Pakistani nationals say they no longer want to do business in Mitchells Plain after their warehouse was “robbed by fake cops” on Sunday evening.
The owners of Irshed Distribution in Bravo Street say at 9.30pm, seven armed “cops” in uniforms arrived in police vehicles and robbed them.
“They came in from the back. I was closing the gate and they forced it open with the police van and I ran in,” one of the owners said.
The owners and staff were tied up and assaulted.
“They had AK47s and normal handguns. They tied us with sellotape and cable ties. They hit us with the back side of the guns. They then told us not to look at them.
“They packed the goods into the police van and called in other vans. They stayed until after 1am. It will take five years to recover from this loss,” added the owner.
They say the fake cops also disabled the cameras and took the tills, computers and hard drives.
“We don’t feel like doing business in Mitchells Plain. I cannot see the difference between robbers and police. We want answers. We will be taking this matter to our embassy as well.”
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut, confirmed the robbery.
“Circumstances surrounding a robbery on Monday at around 9.30pm at a cash and carry in Bravo Street, Eastridge, is being investigated,” Traut says.
“It is alleged that seven suspects dressed in police uniform held up the complainant and his staff and fled with cash and goods. The suspects are yet to be arrested.”
robin.francke@inl.co.za