A reported hostage drama that brought Cape Town city centre to a standstill on Wednesday turned out to be a cellphone theft‚ according to police.

Firemen and armed members of a police special task force entered Cash Crusaders on the corner of Long and Strand streets during the suspected siege.

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But after the reopening of several streets that had been cordoned off‚ police issued a statement saying all that happened was a “business robbery”.

Spokeswoman Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said two suspects entered the shop at 11.47am. “They threatened employees with a firearm and a knife and ordered them to go to the back of the store. The suspects fled the scene with a cellphone. No injuries were reported. The investigation continues.”