Business calls on city to act after ‘underground tunnel robbery’
“This has become a problem and could potentially be a big one for the whole of Pretoria.”
The Tshwane metro should secure stormwater drainage infrastructure and restrict public access to them.
This was a call by the director of Metro Home Center, located in Madiba Street in the Pretoria CBD, after the store that sells designer apparel, perfumes, appliances, laptops, rugs, fabric and furniture, was robbed of an undisclosed amount of goods, believed to be in the millions on September 18.
The store reported the matter to the police on Sunday, after it was left with a hole in the middle of their store.
Director Shahin Carrim said that there might be a syndicate in the Pretoria CBD using the same modus operandi and unexpectedly robbing businesses through the use of underground tunnels.
“There are three stores that have been targeted so far. One has since shut down after the robbery cleared them out in December, while one was robbed a month ago.”
He said his business was the latest to endure the low blow by the criminals.
According to Carrim, criminals were now using the canal on Nelson Mandela Drive and stormwater drains to path their way underground and into various targeted businesses.
“The criminals are breaking through stormwater drains and anybody has access to any part of the city as the plans of the stormwater infrastructure are available on the internet.
“This has become a problem and could potentially be a big one for the whole of Pretoria.”
He called on the Tshwane metro to limit access to the stormwater infrastructure.
“Start gating tunnels as an option and fix the stormwater pipes damaged by the thieves before the rains come down,” Carrim said, adding that the metro had to be aware that the stormwater canal along the Nelson Mandela Drive was further a hideout for many criminal activities and had to be monitored and secured.
Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said the Pretoria Central police were investigating the robbery.
“The case was reported on September 19. No explosives were used as the suspects gained entry through storm pipes and dug until they gained entry to the store.”
She said at this stage, police could not confirm how many suspects were involved.
“Investigations are still ongoing.”
Rekord has also reached out to businesses that have been hit, using the same modus operandi.
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