A third person has come forward and said they were also robbed after taking ID photos next to the Department of Home Affairs building in Commissioner Street.
Krugersdorp Police spokesperson, Sergeant Tshepiso Mashale, urges the community to steer clear of this infamous shop. After the News informed her of yet another similar robbery, Mashale explained that cases need to be opened in order for the police to properly investigate.
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“It is safer for the community to use the photo booth in the Home Affairs building,” she said.
The third victim, *John, told the News his phone got stolen right under his nose.
After the victim took and paid R70 for his ID photos, one man escorted him outside and asked if he could watch over his car.
The man then playfully shoved John, similar to what another victim Tinus Venter experienced, and said he would really ‘shove’ someone if they tried to take John’s car.
After the man playfully shoved John as a demonstration, he then realised his cellphone was taken whereby he turned around, and saw the man running down the road with is cellphone in his hand.
“I saw a police car and shouted for their help. The police picked me up and we drove all over town searching for him.”
The police told John to open a case while they continue the search. Not long after he was dropped off at the police station, the police vehicle pulled up next to him and gave him his phone. The suspect was secured in the back of the police van.
“The man, known as Zuma, was first dressed neatly but changed into an overall when the police started looking for him,” John said.
The photos were taken inside the shop next to the alleyway, where the first victim, the 60-year-old Mike Putter and Venter also took theirs.
John never opened a case, because the police wanted to take his cellphone as evidence, which he needed for work.
*John is not the victim’s real name.
