The Management of the Brookes on the Bay centre in Port Elizabeth says Monday's incident during which the Ocean Basket was robbed of a large sum of money, was not directed at the centre or tenant, but at the cash-in-transit company's personnel who were at the centre at the time.
Centre management says in a statement it wants to assure customers, staff and the public that their safety and security is being taken seriously and that they do have a number of security measures in place, including contracted armed response.
Police Warrant Officer Alwin Labans says two men posing as customers entered the restaurant, and shortly thereafter, a Fidelity guard arrived to clear the weekend takings.
Labans says while the guard was talking to the owner, the two men jumped up and drew firearms and ordered everyone to lie on the floor.
They took the safe key from the guard and emptied the safe of an undisclosed amount of money.
The gunmen fled on foot and joined up with a third suspect who had been waiting outside the restaurant.
Labans says a 4th suspect was the driver of the getaway vehicle - a green VW golf - which was seen speeding away from the scene.
No-one was injured in the incident.
