The Hawks have taken over the investigation into the Bedford Centre robbery and shooting, Gauteng police said on Friday.
“The case has been referred to the Hawks,” said Lt-Col Katlego Mogale.
She dismissed a Beeld report that the mastermind of the shootout was arrested.
“Maybe they [the Beeld] should shed light on this case to investigators. I don’t know about that.”
She said no other arrests had been made.
“Only two suspects are under police guard at hospital, and that is tantamount to being arrested.”
Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi could not immediately be reached.
Seven people were injured in a shoot-out at the Bedford shopping centre in Bedfordview, east of Johannesburg, on Thursday.
Three customers, two security guards and two robbers were injured and taken to hospital.
Mogale could not provide an update on their conditions on Friday.
On Thursday, police said the security guards were collecting cash inside the centre when they were confronted by a group of armed men.
“A shooting ensued between them, with some customers caught in the crossfire. An undisclosed mount of money was taken by some of the suspects,” Mogale said at the time.
COPS SPENT NIGHT COLLECTING EVIDENCE AFTER MALL ROBBERY
A police forensic team spent hours overnight collecting evidence in the Bedford Centre shooting case, the Hawks said on Friday.
“Forensics were at the centre the whole night collecting all the evidence,” Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.
Police had handed the investigation into the daytime robbery and shoot-out at the popular retail shopping centre in Bedfordview over to specialist unit the Hawks.
Three customers, two security guards and two robbers were injured and taken to hospital after the robbery and shooting on Thursday.
They were taken to different hospitals, and were all still recovering.
He dismissed a Beeld report that the mastermind of the shooting had been arrested.
“How do they know one is a mastermind? We are not aware of any mastermind,” he said.
“Only two suspects were arrested and are in hospital. We will obviously be interviewing them.”
He said a group of around 10 robbers had committed the crime.
“These are highly dangerous criminals that perpetrated a crime inside the mall where there is a lot of people. It shows they have no regard for human life.”
Mulaudzi also rubbished reports that tungsten ammunition, which can pierce bullet-proof vests, was used.
“We are not aware of those bullets and it is unknown how many rounds were fired inside the centre.”
Police were only aware of AK47s and pistols being used.
Mulaudzi said he was unsure if the centre had re-opened.
Witnesses calling into radio stations on Friday morning spoke of the good work and the efficiency of the SA Police Service in the incident.
One witness told 94.7 Highveld Stereo that police responded to the crime scene faster than the centre’s management.
Mulaudzi said it took police between 15 to 20 minutes to get there.
– SAPA
7 shot in Bedford Centre, Bedfordview robbery! 9mm & AK47 found. Can SA Police stop claiming crime is under control! pic.twitter.com/SCqYyXi0Os
— Ulrich J v Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) January 29, 2015
