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BARBERTON - A spate of armed robberies took place in Barberton this week. During the early hours of August 16, three armed suspects robbed Jathira Fuel Station of R4 000. While the driver waited in the car for his companions, the other two - armed with a 9mm and an R5, attempted at first to bomb the ATM machine in the quick shop. This attempt was futile, however, and they then proceeded to loot the shop’s cash register. It has been confirmed that the getaway car was not a Mazda 3 as originally suspected, but a Nissan Murano.

At about 03:15 this morning, Chatz Connect Hyper Cellular, the Vodacom store situated in the Jock of the Bushveld Centre, was also targeted by burglars for a second time within the span of a year.

According to the Barberton team leader for Scorpion Risk Services, Cleopas Mkhabela, the suspects tied one of their security guards up and held him at gunpoint during the whole ordeal. Mkhabela said the incident lasted less than 10 minutes. Meanwhile, a second security guard at the centre became aware of the robbery and ran to Barberton Police Station for assistance. By then the robbers were busy loading their loot into their escape vehicle, a silver grey Mercedes Benz AMG C63. At that moment Hi-Tech Security arrived at the scene and the robbers sped away. Hi-Tech officer Christo Ruthven gave chase and a shootout ensued. No one was injured. Owner of Hi-Tech Security Barberton, Sakkie Dednam, said it’s the same syndicate, same suspects and same vehicle that were involved in the Malalane armed robbery.

The extent of the losses suffered has not yet been determined. The suspects also made off with the shop’s surveillance cameras. Owner of Hyper Cellular, Rishad Gani, said there was nothing more that the security officers could do and expressed his gratitude to Scorpion Risk Services, as well as Hi-Tech Barberton and the SAPS, for their assistance.

“No situation in this life is perfect. But God promises you this: with every hardship, He will give you many reasons to find comfort. Every test comes with gifts. And every gift comes with tests. See the gifts, and you will find comfort. See the Giver, and you will pass your tests.”
- Rishad Gani.

Written by: Anchen Coetzee for Ama'Zone Media Solutions t/a Africa InTouch
Sub Editor: Lynette Brink / Letter Linguist