Shoppers Flee During Suspected Robbery at Phoenix Plaza
Shoppers at the Phoenix Plaza on Parthernon Street in Phoenix – KZN ran for cover after they believed that the mall was under attack from gunmen this morning (Monday).
At approximately 09:48 the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Phoenix Operations Centre received the initial call from a shopper reporting shots being fired in the vicinity of the banks. Several Reaction Officers were dispatched to the scene and while on route received updates from the Operations Centre that multiple calls of a similar nature were received from other shoppers and business owners.
On arrival Reaction Officers entered the mall and were pointed in the direction of where the shots were allegedly fired. Several businesses shut their doors and shoppers were seen hiding in the stores. It was later established that Police from various specialized units were conducting a planned disruptive operation at the taxi rank at the Phoenix Plaza. During the operation Officers detonated stun grenades leading shoppers to believe that there were gunmen opening fire inside the mall.
No injuries were reported during the incident.
