A shootout erupted between the police and an eight-man gang of robbers wielding AK-47 assault rifles at the Queen Rose Super Spar, in Tsolo, on Sunday, said Eastern Cape police.

However, no-one was wounded, said Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela.

He said the gang struck at 7.45pm, ordering everyone inside the shop to lie on the ground while they took an undisclosed amount of money.

They were still there when the police arrived and the shootout ensued.

Fatyela said the robbers made their getaway in a maroon-coloured Mazda 323, which was later found abandoned 700 metres from the scene.

The car had been stolen in Mthatha.

Sapa