Inspector gamble fails to pay off

Tony Mohlala appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of business robbery.

Lt Col Erhard Stroh said the incident happened at around 10:30. “He entered Supa Bets in Bester Street pretending to be a gambling inspector, and said he was there to inspect their premises.”

Mohlala insisted one of the staff members take him to the back to the cash office. “He threatened the staff member and tied him up with masking tape.

“He took around R127 000 cash and put it in a briefcase.” He was about to exit the premises when the manager arrived. “He apprehended the man and called the police. He kept him at the premises until the police arrived and arrested him.”

As of going to press, the outcome had not been established in court yet.

In another incident last Tuesday night, two suspects were arrested at a business after Hi-Tech Security CCTV operators spotted them attempting to break into the building. Hi-Tech Security operations manager, Callum MacPherson said the armed response team arrived at the scene and apprehended them in the act.

“Our client is extremely happy with what happened, as they did not manage to even get inside the premises.” He said CCTV systems have proven to be one of the best tools to fight crime.

Reasons why a business needs a camera system for security

1. Video surveillance serves as a deterrent against crime – internal and external
2. It allows you to follow up on multiple events, crime-related or otherwise
3. Using video management systems (VMS) can improve the performance of a business
4. VMS can enable you to identify hot spots in stores to move certain products or show areas that are not being utilised
5. VMS enables you to track staff movement to ensure correct behaviour between them and with customers
6. Having VMS in place can further deter crime and should be linked to an outside monitoring company
7. Cameras can also help ensure the conviction of criminals who target a business, thus creating a safer country
for all.