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4 die in tavern robberies

February 06, 2017. Ernest , an employee at one of the attacked taverns in Olievenhoutbosch , survived the shooting. Men armed with guns allegedly walked into the taverns and randomly shot at patrons. Photo Kabelo Mokoena © Sowetan
February 06, 2017. Ernest , an employee at one of the attacked taverns in Olievenhoutbosch , survived the shooting. Men armed with guns allegedly walked into the taverns and randomly shot at patrons. Photo Kabelo Mokoena © Sowetan

Five people, including a suspected robber, were killed when armed men opened fire at two taverns in a Pretoria township at the weekend.

Initially, four people died between Friday night and Saturday morning in Olievenhoutbosch near Centurion, Tshwane.

On Sunday, Olievenhoutbosch residents took the law into their hands and killed a man who was suspected of being part of the armed gang that had allegedly killed the four.

It is alleged that three men, armed with pistols, stormed into Mlambo's Tavern on Friday night and randomly shot and robbed patrons. Two people were shot dead at Mlambo's.

One person allegedly died at Elisa's Tavern where the three men had also randomly opened fire on patrons. One person allegedly died in the street.

Ronald Zwane, a DJ at Mlambo's Tavern, miraculously survived after being shot. He said he was at the tavern at about 10pm when three men armed with pistols entered.

"They entered and just opened fire at everyone inside. People scattered in all directions while some threw themselves to the ground. The men ordered everyone to surrender their cellphones and cash.

"At the time I didn't notice that I had been shot because I was so scared. A bullet entered and exited through my right arm. The men took our cellphones and my laptop before walking out," Zwane said.

"About four men were injured by those bullets. I wonder what could have happened to my friend who was hiding behind me if that bullet hadn't struck my arm. He probably would have been killed," Zwane added.

He said he noticed that he had been shot after the three men had already left.

He was taken to Kalafong Hospital where he was discharged on Saturday.

There was a heavy police presence yesterday in Olievenhoutbosch, as officers patrolled the streets.

Eric Makhubele, 36, had just left the tavern when he heard gunshots.

"We are used to the sound of gunshots at night here. I didn't realise at the time that the bullets were hitting my twin brother," Makhubele said.

As he drove back to the tavern, Makhubele said he was stopped by a man who was begging him to take injured patrons to hospital.

"The man told me that people had been shot and that my twin brother Charles was among them.

"I ran into the tavern and found him lying face down, bleeding from his head and chest. I lifted him but he just looked at me and died in my arms," Makhubele said.

"I am hurting and want the men who killed my brother to be killed the way they killed him. I don't want them to go to jail. I want them dead."

Charles was certified dead at the local police station by paramedics. He and other injured patrons had been driven there by Eric.

"People who were inside the tavern said one of the shooters has a child with our niece. They said he shot Charles after he confronted him and asked him what he was doing?" said Eric.

A shack belonging to one of the alleged suspects was burnt to the ground by angry members of the community on Sunday. Eric said members of the community found a stash of cellphones in a sack in the shack. He said they also found many pairs of shoes that allegedly belonged to people who were robbed by the gang at the tavern. - ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za

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