By Julia Moyo
Police are searching for a group of armed suspects who allegedly robbed a cellphone store at Vaal Mall before opening fire on officers during a pursuit on the R57 on Wednesday evening.
The incident occurred at approximately 19:25 PM when a group of armed men wearing balaclavas allegedly entered the shopping centre and targeted a cell phone kiosk. Video footage of the robbery has since been widely shared on social media platform X, showing armed suspects moving through the shopping centre during the incident.
Sedibeng District police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela said the suspects fled with cellular phones and an undisclosed amount of cash. “Police in the Sedibeng District are investigating cases of business robbery, business burglary and attempted murder following an incident that occurred at Vaal Mall,” said Maxambela.
She added that two additional businesses within the shopping centre sustained damage during the incident. According to Maxambela, no injuries were reported and no shots were fired during the robbery. Information received by police after the incident led members of the Vanderbijlpark Task Team to a white Volkswagen Combi believed to have been used by the suspects.
During a pursuit along the R57 at approximately 19:50 PM, the occupants of the vehicle allegedly opened fire on police officers. Police returned fire and the vehicle later collided with a roadside sign. The suspects then abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby veld. “No police members were injured during the exchange of gunfire, although a marked SAPS vehicle sustained damage,” said Maxambela. The scene was processed by members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), while the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified in accordance with legal requirements.
Vaal Mall management confirmed that the incident occurred after trading hours and affected two retail stores. The mall said no injuries or fatalities were reported and that management is working closely with SAPS and private security partners as investigations continue.
The suspects escaped on foot after abandoning their vehicle following a crash. No arrests have been made and investigations are still ongoing.
