THE gogos and mkhulus braved the rainy weather on Monday, 4 April, and went to the post office to get their pension grants.
But they didn’t know what was in store for them.
When thugs attacked the Post Office, the SBV guards were ready for them. They exchanged gunshots in the process.
Two pensioners were caught in the crossfire. They got shot in their legs and were rushed to hospital.
The incident happened in Verena, near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga.
Witnesses told Daily Sun the pensioners were waiting in the queue when the thugs barged into the post office.
A witness, John Mahlangu (47), said: “Nobody thought this was going to happen. We were all shocked when we heard gunshots.
“People ran for cover, while others lay on the ground. The pensioners that couldn’t run away were caught by bullets. They were badly injured.”
Another witness, Joyce Makhubela (38), told the SunTeam that when they heard the gunshots, everybody got frightened. She said they didn’t see where the thugs entered.
“The pensioners are now very traumatised. What happened at the Post Office is very bad.
“The thugs started shooting randomly and the gogos were hurt in the process. We were all scared and had to run for cover.
“I was outside the building when all this happened. The thugs failed to get any money and fled,” she said.
Payments continued at the post office after the incident.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed the incident. He said three suspects allegedly entered by jumping over the fence.
“A shoot-out ensued between the suspects and the security guards. In the process, two elderly people (a man and a woman) were shot in their legs. They were taken to KwaMhlanga Hospital by an ambulance.
“One suspect was also shot but fled with the other suspects. One rifle was recovered,” Mohlala said.
He said two cases have been opened – one for attempted business robbery and one for attempted murder.
Cops are seeking help to arrest the culprits.
