Several Randburg shopping centres close amid concerns of protest action and looting
RANDBURG – Local shopping centre receives tip-off of protest action around 9am, closes its doors. Other centres follow suit.
A number of local shopping centres, businesses and public places have closed today, July 12, amid fears of violent protest action and looting.
It has been confirmed that Randridge Mall and Cosmo Mall were all closed by the early afternoon. Randburg Sun has also been informed by a local ward councillor that Randburg Square and Boskruin Village Shopping Centre are also closed.
Ella Miles, general manager of Broll, said, “In consideration of our tenants and their staff’s safety we have decided to close Randridge Mall and Boskruin Village from 1pm today.
“This is a precaution in line with the protest action and ensuing looting taking place at shopping centres nationwide. We anticipate resuming normal trade tomorrow and look forward to welcoming back shoppers to the respective centres once again. The safety of our customers, tenants and staff are of paramount importance.”
Cresta Shopping Centre told its patrons on Facebook that it would close at 5pm.
Randburg Sun spoke to several other malls in the area, that had all opted to keep their doors open at this time.
“There were no incidents but we wanted to rather be safe than sorry and so we closed down for the day. It is just for today, we expect to open again tomorrow,” Cosmo Mall’s marketing manager, Katlego Lauren told Randburg Sun.
The centre in Cosmo City received a tip-off around 9am that pro-Zuma protesters could be headed their way during the day. They closed their doors within minutes.
On its Facebook page, Randridge Mall posted the following, “In the Interest of keeping our tenants and shoppers safe, the management of Randridge Mall has decided to close the Centre for trading today.”
Pro-Jacob Zuma protests around the country have turned violent and there have been incidents of looting, stealing and burning of cars and tires, although no incidents have been confirmed in the Randburg region.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged residents to refrain from violent acts in his address on July 11, after former president Jacob Zuma was jailed after handing himself over to authorities.
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Cosmo Mall closed as a precaution after protest tip-off
