THE number of armed business robberies and attempted armed robberies at businesses in Mtubatuba appears to be on the increase.
According to a business owner in Mtubatuba Plaza, the centre appears to be a hot spot for armed robberies, not least the recent Shoprite armed robbery during which a large sum of money was stolen.
While that crime was deemed an inside job, other ‘smaller jobs’ are said to occur frequently and assailants are not arrested and therefore go unpunished.
Two weeks ago one such store at Mtubatuba Plaza fell victim to an attempted armed robbery when three suspects, one wielding a gun and another a knife, entered the shop.
After being the victims of this type of crime all too often, the store owners decided to fight back.
The gun-wielding suspect was apprehended and held in store until police officers arrived.
The second suspect, after drawing a knife, was hit with a chair and the third with a glass bottle.
During the battle the first suspect dropped the gun and another picked it up before the second and third suspects fled the scene.
The first suspect was taken into police custody and he appeared at the Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court a few days later.
According to business owners this type of crime is out of control and must be stopped so people can stop having to fear for their lives and livelihoods.
‘Police officers are not able to protect us, but when we protect ourselves, they tell us we should not have done so,’ said a concerned business owner who wanted to remain anonymous.
