The police have warned people to be more vigilant of their belongings when visiting the new Ballito Junction mall.
“There have been instances of petty theft and shoplifting. This is often the case at new malls. Criminals see it as an opportunity because visitors are likely to be distracted by their surroundings,” says Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Vinny Pillay
Also read: Grand opening, grand damage at Ballito Junction
In one particular case, a group of mothers were outraged after their children’s belongings, which they say were valued at around R53 000, were stolen from 22 Jump Street the day after the mall’s official opening.
22 Jump Street is a trampoline park and entertainment store.
Kerubishni Mudly took her 13-year-old daughter and three friends to the trampoline park. Mudly said the teenagers had left a bag outside the jumping area where other bags and shoes had been placed, due to the store not yet having lockers.
“One of the children had a bag and they had all put their belongings into it. There were three iPhone 7’s and R1 000 cash. They had to leave their bags there because there were no lockers.
“The manager said that they were still being imported from China. The children cannot jump carrying a bag.”
Mudly claimed that no one had been watching the bags and there were no cameras in that particular area.
“We also did not sign indemnity forms, we were told they were not available.”
One of the teen’s mothers Candice Nienaber, said she felt 22 Jump Street should take responsibility for the theft.
“The place is advertised for children and surely it should be safe and secure. While it was a learning lesson for the children, I feel disappointed at the way they were treated. They were hardly offered assistance and all four of them were shattered.”
22 Jump Street director Justin Williams said the store cannot be held responsible for individual belongings and said there had been no other incidents of theft at the store.
Williams said the four teenagers were given the opportunity to leave the bag and cellphones under the counter but that they refused to do so. However, the parents of the teenagers denied that their children were given any options for safe keeping.
“We have 16 cameras installed but unfortunately they do not cover under the mezzanine level. We have requested additional cameras to be installed.
“The lockers unfortunately were delayed in customs and we hope to have them in place this week. We have and currently request persons to store their belongings behind the counters and thus far have had no incidents.
“The indemnity forms are on the wristbands that people put on to enter the jump area. There are also indemnity posters placed all over the store.
This was an unfortunate incident the day following the opening, where opportunists are lurking to steal. We apologize that this incident happened.”
W/O Pillay said there had been one other case of theft at 22 Jump Street, where cash was taken out of a woman’s handbag.
“It is a new mall and these things will happen. People often only report theft when they are insured and need to claim. The police rely on feedback from the community to determine the safety of a particular place or area. We urge people to report all cases of theft to the police so that the problem areas can be addressed.”
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