Hilarious video reveals how ‘hero cop’ who took credit for chasing off armed robbers actually hid behind a sofa and allowed his WIFE to confront gunmen
Kgomotso Phahlane did initially challenge the gun-toting raiders but his version of events was very different than footage shows
DRAMATIC video shows how a police chief hailed a hero for tackling two armed robbers actually hid behind a sofa as his WIFE chased them off.
Acting police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane was praised for his bravery after telling how he leapt into action by taking on two balaclava-clad gunmen in a spa.
The attempted armed robbery happened at the Ayothaya Thai Spa in Dunkeld, a suburb of Johannesburg, on June 5 earlier this year.
Spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said at the time: "He fought with the two guys with the view to take away the firearms.
"He managed to ward them off and they ran away."
But footage released by News 24 shows the top cop cowering behind a cushion and then hiding behind a sofa.
His wife and a spa employee emerge as the real heroes because they push out the attackers.
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The video News24 released shows two armed men walking into the spa.
APC Phahlane does initially struggle with the two men, punching one in the face, then falls to the floor and wriggles away on his belly as the two robbers leave the spa.
However, they do not speed off in their car, as the South African Police Service and Phahlane had originally claimed but instead storm back in with the guns.
APC Phahlane first grabs a cushion as if trying to protect himself with it before diving behind the couch in terror where he stays until the end of the drama.
It is left to a spa employee and Phahlane's brave wife who shove the couch at the robbers which causes the two armed men to panic and to flee empty handed.
The cop is still lying on his tummy and then hands and knees cowering as the raiders run from the scene.
In an interview with Independent Media after the incident, APC Phahlane said he used his expertise as a policeman to fight off the two armed men.
He was reported as saying: “Using my experience as a policeman, I leapt into action, grabbing the arm of one of the would-be robbers.
“In order to change the direction of the gun that was pointed at me; I went for his (attacker’s) arm'.
"Suddenly the gun was pointed at his colleague (accomplice). I knew if he decides to fire a shot, his colleague could also be shot.
“As (a) police (officer), you have to act in a split-second. I was employed to protect the community and save lives.
“As an officer, you place yourself on duty if the situation demands that. I’m grateful no one was hurt" he said.
Phahlane said the scuffle lasted for almost five minutes, but that "every minute seems like an hour".
In reply to fresh questions from News24 after the CCTV emerged, Phahlane's spokesperson Brigadier Mashadi Selepe said: "There is no dispute on the sequence of events which unfolded on the day of the attack at the spa.
"It is unfortunate that you are suggesting a misrepresentation of facts which will be found nowhere in the department's reporting on the matter.
“It is found suspicious or why you are in possession of such recordings which is a subject of investigation."
Brigadier Mulaudzi said he had not seen the newly discovered video before he made the statement.
The CCTV has been published by the news channel.
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