A BUSY day at the Sassa offices in KwaMashu, north of Durban, was interrupted by four armed thugs on Tuesday, 12 September.
The drama started when a security guard opened the gate for one of his colleagues. Little did he know that four armed men would pounce on him and his colleague and rob them of their belongings.
A third security guard, who was armed with a gun, ran away and the thugs allegedly fired shots at him, but he managed to escape unharmed.
The suspects then escaped.
While all this was unfolding outside, there were Sassa workers and clients inside the offices.
One of the clients, Nonhlanhla Mthalane, said she was with her gogo in the office to enquire about the old woman's unpaid pension when they heard gunshots.
She said:
Another Sassa client, Thabani Mkhize, said it was clear that the suspects wanted the security guards' guns.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that KwaMashu cops are investigating a case of business robbery and attempted murder.
Netshiunda said it is alleged that a security guard was opening the gate for a colleague when he was accosted by four unknown suspects, two of them armed with firearms.
"The suspects forced the security guard to open the gate, instructed him to lie down and robbed him and his female colleague of their belongings," he said.
He said another armed security guard managed to run away when the suspects attempted to rob him of the firearm.
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"The suspects fired shots towards the security guard, but he managed to escape unharmed. A vehicle, which was close by, was found with bullet holes. The suspects fled the scene in their getaway vehicle," said Netshiunda.
Sassa KZN spokeswoman Sandy Godlwana said they're disturbed by this incident, adding that nothing was disturbed in the office.
"None of our staff and officials were affected. However, we are concerned as this happened close to where we service clients. The safety of clients is important to us," she said.
Godlwana said that the office will be moving back to Bridgecity Shopping Centre once renovations have been completed.
