A brazen armed robbery unfolded outside The Sapphire apartment building, also known as Ithemba Apartments, in Johannesburg’s Maboneng precinct on Thursday night, leaving residents shaken and a community on edge .
According to accounts circulating on social media, a man walking toward the building was robbed of his phone by a group of suspects. Instead of fleeing the scene, the robbers remained outside, apparently waiting .
Shortly after, three women exited the elevator to leave the building, unaware of what had just occurred. They reportedly assumed the men standing outside were residents. The initial male victim, who had just been robbed, walked past the women without warning them and urgently tried to access the apartment .
Moments later, the suspects drew firearms and held the women at gunpoint. The victims immediately dropped their belongings on the ground to survive . Their phones and purses were taken.
The robbers then fled the scene on a BMX bicycle—a detail witnesses described as “diabolical” . The getaway method suggests the suspects are located in or around the Maboneng area .
One of the stolen phones, tracked using Find My iPhone, was last seen near Anderson Street in Maboneng .
The incident has sparked concern among residents about safety in the popular inner-city neighbourhood known for its vibrancy and nightlife.
“It’s terrifying how quickly things can turn,” a social media user wrote. “Please stay alert. And please, look out for one another” .
Police have not yet commented on the incident. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.