Online Reporter
Peter Matika & Sikhumbuzo Moyo
CRYSTAL Lounge turned into a war zone this morning as gun-wielding robbers stormed the popular nightclub, locking terrified employees inside while seizing their phones in a broad daylight heist.
B-Metro is on the scene as the drama unfolds in real time.
According to the nightclub owner, Phatisani Nkomo, the thugs locked the doors and took the employees’ cellphones, unaware that one staffer was in the toilet and secretly raised the alarm.
Armed police swarmed the premises shortly after, with the dog section taking up positions at all entry and exit points. Officers scaled the roof while others threatened to storm the building, firing warning shots into the air in hopes of rattling the criminals into surrender.
Ambulances were seen arriving at the scene as tension mounted.
At around midday, police breached the building and successfully rescued six hostages who had been held against their will. However, the armed robbers are believed to still be hiding inside the nightclub.
Witnesses say part of Robert Mugabe Road and 10th Avenue has been cordoned off as the police operation intensifies.
In a bizarre twist, detectives have linked today’s incident to another attempted robbery at a sports bar along Railway Avenue earlier this morning—where a suspect tried to rob the place with a toy gun before being swiftly apprehended.
Meanwhile, journalists on the ground say police have returned confiscated phones but are banning the public and media from filming or taking pictures of the ongoing operation.
The story is developing. Stay with B-Metro for updates as the Crystal Lounge siege enters a tense standoff phase.
