The recent burglary at a tavern on 4th Avenue in Alexandra has once again placed the spotlight on the vulnerability of local businesses, particularly taverns, which have long been targets of criminals in the community.

Owner Leonard Ramushu, who has operated the tavern for more than two decades, said the break-in was unprecedented for his establishment. Burglars forced their way in by breaking padlocks and butler doors before making off with alcohol, electrical equipment, and cash valued at approximately R33 000.

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Although the tavern was fitted with CCTV cameras, they were disabled as the suspects cut wires and removed the CCTV hard drive, leaving no footage of the incident. “They took the CCTV camera hard drive, so we could not get the footage. We don’t know anything, we don’t know how many there were.”

Tavern caretaker Steve Monnakgotla, who was present during the aftermath, said the burglary has disrupted daily operations. He added that the tavern has not been operating since January 6 because they were waiting for police to collect evidence, including fingerprints. Police have since opened a case at the Alexandra Police Station and launched an investigation.

While this marks the first reported business burglary in Alexandra this year. It was quickly followed by a separate armed robbery involving three suspects at a restaurant in the neighbouring suburb of Bramley. Footage of the Bramley incident, which circulated on social media, showed three suspects wearing balaclavas storming into the restaurant and robbing patrons.

The incident mirrored similar robberies that hit Alexandra taverns last year, when several establishments were broken into and some robbed at gunpoint. CCTV footage shared online showed armed men storming taverns, stripping owners of stock and patrons of valuables.

Ramushu, who also chairs a local liquor forum, said the spate of robberies prompted tavern owners to convene a meeting to discuss tightening security. “We have been fighting this thing of robberies. We called a meeting with tavern owners to tell them what to do, such as installing cameras to tighten the security.”

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Although the suspects behind this year’s incidents remain unknown, Ramushu confirmed that last year’s robberies were co-ordinated by the same group. “It was the same people, they would do rounds and target [different] taverns weekly. The footage was showing the same people. We suspect those people are not from Alexandra.”

While he suspects the culprits behind the recent burglary at his tavern are locals, Ramushu believes last year’s attackers came from outside the township. “They would only come to Alex to commit crimes and leave. They don’t stay here.”

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