KZN SAPS Confirms 15 AK47-Wielding Gunmen Who Robbed Phoenix Store Not Arrested

• KwaZulu-Natal's South African Police Service confirmed to Briefly News that 15 suspects who robbed a jewellery store in Phoenix escaped
• The incident happened over the weekend in which the men stormed the shop and, armed with AK47 assault rifles, robbed the store
• After an intense shootout between the police and the suspects, they escaped, and Colonel Robert Netshiunda said they had a lead

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered police investigations and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

PHOENIX, KWAZULU-NATAL — 15 men armed with AK47 rifles stormed a jewellery store in Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal, got into a gunfight with the police, and got away.

Armed men rob Phoenix store

According to @Abramjee's tweet, Reaction Unit South Africa was called to the scene of the crime at the Phoenix Plaza. When the reaction officers arrived, they were attacked. A gunfight ensued, followed by a car chase. The suspects managed to evade the cops and RUSA, injuring a bystander and a police officer in the process.

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SAPS speaks to Briefly News

SAPS's spokesperson in KZN, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda, told Briefly News that no suspects were arrested. He said the police had a lead, but it was too early to share more information with the media.

View the clip here:

South Africans call on Mkhwanazi

Netizens commenting on the incident expressed their trust in KZN's commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Salasa said:

"It's just a matter of time before KZN does what they do best."

Monde Klaas said:

"I'm not even bothered. I trust Mkhwanazi and his crew."

Sibongile said:

"They are risk-takers. I'd never with a commissioner like Mkhwanazi in the province."

Mnguni said:

"He's coming for them one by one."

Mongwe Nyathi said:

"They have activated General Mkhwanazi to attack."

Robbers who stole jewellery in Polokwane arrested in KZN

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In a similar article, Briefly News reported that five robbers who reportedly robbed a jewellery store in Polokwane were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal.

The suspects robbed the store at Savannah Mall and escaped. The police tracked them to Mooi River and arrested them.

Source: Briefly News