Five men robbed the Scottsville KFC fast-food outlet in KwaZulu-Natal just after the power was scheduled to be turned off, Midlands police said on Sunday.
It is alleged the men entered the premises on Friday at about 7.30pm under the pretence of being customers, said Inspector Joey Jeevan.
”A short while later it is alleged that the power went off — due to load-shedding — and the staff members lit candles so that they could finish assisting the last few customers.”
She said two men armed men then forced the staff to the back of the store while another two men jumped over the counter. A fifth man stood guard at the door.
The men behind the counter ransacked the tills of an undisclosed amount of money and then all five men left the outlet on foot. No shots were fired and no one was injured.
The men were still at large.
Jeevan said police were appealing to the community and businesses to be vigilant during over periods when power cuts were scheduled and to avoid being in darkness during these periods. — Sapa