Siphamandla Madikane (28) was arrested at the weekend after allegedly holding up workers at the Hungry Lion fast food outlet at the entrance to Mbekweni on Friday morning.
The workers were surprised by a man brandishing what looked like a firearm shortly after opening for business around 08:00, said WO Nceba Vanqa, spokesperson for Mbekweni police.
He said the suspect had forced one worker behind the counter while instructing another behind the cash register to open it and give him the money in it.
“He also instructed the manager to take money from the safe. The suspect was wearing a blue overall with a mask covering his face and a cap that was pulled low over his forehead.”
Moments later the suspect fled from the scene with R4 000 taken from the cash registers and the safe. No shots were fired nor were any injuries recorded in the incident.
According to Vanqa the suspect, Madikane, was later arrested in Mbekweni and charged with armed business robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
He appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
