Gateway jewellery store robbery described as 'scene out of a movie'

The sounds of sirens could be heard ringing from all entrances of the mall. 

On the inside, scores of police officers, dozens of private security members and paramedics could be seen gathered. 

A number of high profile detectives were also inside the store combing the scene. 

Eyewitnesses in the shops nearby told Newswatch they could not understand how a robbery of this magnitude happened in broad daylight. 

An employee said about ten men slowly made their way into the store after 2pm on Wednesday. 

He says that some of the men were dressed in traditional Islamic attire while others were wearing suits. 

He says one of the men wearing a suit had a heavy machine gun on him, while the other had ordinary handguns. 

He says they entered the store and yelled at employees to get down on the ground. 

He says a few of the men made their way to both of the walkways of the mall, checking for guards who may be coming their way and pointed their firearms at him. 

A few minutes later, he says the group made off with at least two trolleys filled with jewellery. 

He says it was a scene straight out of a movie. 

The suspects opened fire, injuring one security guard on existing. 

Netcare 991's Shawn Herbst says he is in a critical condition.  

"An adult male security guard had been shot in the abdomen after trying to intervene in an armed robbery at a jewellery store.

"The patient was found to have sustained critical injuries and was treated on scene by a Netcare 911 Emergency Care Practitioner.

"Once stabilised the patient was rushed to a nearby hospital for the urgent care he required. "

Other paramedics also arrived to see to the shop's employees.