Man dies in Jhb pub robbery

2008-02-04 14:43

Verashni Pillay

Johannesburg - An armed robbery at a Johannesburg pub on Saturday at midnight ended in tragedy when two patrons took on the robbers, hitting one over the head with a bar stool.

Fortunately, the bar was half-empty with accounts indicating about 20 customers enjoying drinks at the time.

One man was killed after wrestling with the robber and another was shot in the legs after trying to help by hitting the gunman over the head with a bar stool.

According to sources who were at the restaurant, four armed robbers held up the popular Keg and Brewer at the Rock Cottage Shopping centre in Honeydew just after midnight on Saturday.

'At least four robbers'

While the accounts differ about the number of robbers involved, Dewald Cillie who was having a drink with friends at the time said he saw at least four robbers.

"Two stood at the door and another two came inside," said another patron who wished to remain anonymous.

The robbers stormed in, according to the patron, and told everyone to get down. "Everything was calm until one of the patrons decided he wanted to take on these guys," said Cillie.

The man wrestled the robber to the ground and had him pinned down when the second robber came from behind and tried to shoot him.

"He cocked his gun and pulled the trigger about three times and the fourth time the shot went off," said Cillie.

The man was shot in his shoulder. "He was hit in such a way that the bullet went down towards his heart," police spokesperson, Inspector Karen Jacobs told News24.

He died soon after.

Another patron, trying to help the man on the floor swung a bar stool at the gunman and hit him over the head, knocking him down.

Regained his feet

"Once that happened the first robber regained his feet again and he fired a shot at the guy with the bar stool," said Cillie.

The man, 32, was shot in his legs, according to police. He was in a serious condition but was reported to be stable on Monday afternoon.

"It was quick but it feels like an hour or two," said one patron. "You just lie there and you can't look up and you hear shots going off around you."

Police said nothing had been reported stolen but Cillie said he spoke to someone whose car keys, phone and wallet was taken.

Another patron said the robbers took a waitress's moonbag with about R1 000 in it.

The Keg and Brewer management confirmed that the robbery and shooting took place but would not offer any comment.

A patron said police and ambulance arrived quickly.

Police are investigating a case of murder and armed robbery. "No arrests have been made yet," said Jacobs.

- News24