The owner of a business in the Krugersdorp CBD recently wrote to the Krugersdorp News in an attempt to warn the community against muggers operating in the area.
The man who wished to remain anonymous for fear of intimidation said, “As a business owner in the Krugersdorp CBD, with things being extremely slow as the economy and businesses generally are still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, we still have to deal with groups of thugs who further hinder business in the CBD.”
He explained that he was referring to robbers who operate in groups of two to three. He claimed that they always carry a plastic bag in which they normally keep a jacket or sweater which they can change into once they have robbed someone. This makes them difficult to identify as they make their escape.
“Their modus operandi is to scout out goods or valuables left in parked cars, such as handbags and laptop bags,” he said.
These robbers hit once the driver of the vehicle returns. One of them would keep the driver busy while the others sneakily open the passenger-side door and snatch whatever they have scouted.
“We as businesses and residents in town continuously notice this type of thing. We also see people sitting in cars with open windows being tricked and mugged,” he explained.
Another method he claimed muggers use is to strike up a conversation with someone passing by, while tugging and patting them the whole time. When the conversation is over the victims will miss their wallets or cellphones.
“This group of thugs usually target white people and use that as an excuse for other people – among them shop guards and assistants – not to bother them while they do their ‘business’. This is not the case though as black people have also been among their victims. A young black man who got stuck with a flat tyre recently became their target when they pretended they wanted to assist him,” the man claimed.
He said these robbers operate in plain sight and most business owners in the CBD know them, although they are either too scared to report them, or they believe nothing will be done as the problem has been reported to police numerous times.
“As businesses we fear our losses will become bigger when shoppers fear coming to the CBD as it becomes increasingly unsafe,” he said, adding that these customers would then rather opt to shop in malls and other more secure spaces.
The News requested comment from the Krugersdorp Polices spokesperson, Captain Raymond Seboyane on this matter but none has been forthcoming.
