Xmas shopping this year is deadly

This shopping centre is one of the largest in Northern Johannesburg, with thousands of people there every day.

Johannesburg - Two people were shot and wounded in armed robberies at the Northgate shopping mall, Johannesburg paramedics said on Friday.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman said police and paramedics responded to an armed robbery and shooting incident on Northumberland road in Northgate on Friday morning.

Dollman said a man was shot in the chest and was in a critical condition. He was placed onto emergency life support at the scene and a Netcare 911 helicopter rushed him to a private hospital in Fourways.

Four robbers fled the scene in a white Opel Astra. No arrests were made but police were investigating a case of armed robbery and attempted murder, said captain Lydia Mtila-Dikomela.

On Thursday evening, paramedics and police responded to reports of an armed robbery and shooting incident at a fast food outlet on the corner of Malibongwe and Olievenhout roads in the Northgate area.

A man who was shot in the back was treated by paramedics at the scene. He was rushed to Netcare Sunninghill hospital in a serious condition.

Two male employees of the outlet sustained head injuries. They were taken to Netcare Olivedale hospital and were in stable conditions, Dollman said.