Tenants fear for their safety after another armed robbery at a shopping centre in the Moot

Tenants of a well-known shopping centre in Nico Smith Street in Rietfontein in the Moot, fear for their safety after the centre was targeted by armed robbers for the fourth time since December.

A well-known clothing store at Jakaranda shopping centre was raided by armed robbers on Thursday, April 7.

Captain Frank Radue, of Tshwane District’s serious violent crime unit, said about four men robbed the store shortly before 16:00.

“Some of the suspects were armed. The case is being investigated,” said Radue.

One of the tenants, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they were robbed of thousands of rands’ worth of cellphones in January.

“A week before Christmas, another clothing store was robbed and the next day they were robbed again,” said the tenant.

She said she now closes her doors earlier than usual because she cannot afford to stay during all the centre’s business hours.

“Not only for my own safety, but also for the safety of my staff,” she said.

“After we were robbed, some of my staff members had to go for trauma counselling. We are currently working in a high-risk centre and we feel
centre management is not doing enough to improve security.

“Easter weekend is on our doorstep and we are waiting for the next incident to happen,” she said.

Another tenant in the centre said their restaurant had fortunately not yet been targeted.

“However, that is not what it is about. At this stage we do not know who will be targeted next.

“The security guards are not armed and the internet connection is of such a nature that when a tenant does press the panic button, the security only
arrives half an hour after an incident,” he said.

Iggy Sathekge, communications manager of Mowana Properties, said the mall’s safety and security was a top priority.

“Security officers were notified of the incident at the clothing store branch by a panic signal, and officers were immediately sent to the store, with
additional response officers for assistance.

“The suspects fled with an unknown amount of cellphones,” said Sathekge.

“No injuries were reported during the incident and no shots were fired.

“The centre management reported the incident to the police, who are now busy with an investigation. More information will be made available as the
investigation is completed,” said Sathekge.

He mentioned that there is a real effort being made between the police, centre management and private security companies to prevent these robberies.

Earlier this year, a shoot-out broke out between robbers and security at the shopping centre in the early hours of February 8, after a security officer
responded to a panic alarm at the centre.

According to Captain Anton Breedt of the Moot police station, a 43-year-old guard, who worked inside the shopping complex, saw four unknown men break open the entrance doors on the ground floor of the complex and force open the doors of the clothing store inside the complex.

“The guard responded by sending an emergency signal to their response company. Another security officer responded to the panic alarm.

“A shoot-out took place between the response officer and the suspects. The suspects managed to flee from the scene in their two vehicles. No one
was injured during the incident.

“A case of business interruption and attempted murder is still ongoing,” said Breedt.

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Moot CPF chairperson Elsabe Weyers said security at the centre will need to be sharpened, especially outside.

“Places that sell cellphones seem to be an attraction for criminals.

“The visibility of the equipment will have to be handled better,” she said.

Weyers said the incidents that previously occurred at the centre all took place after 16:00.

“The robberies can have a massive negative impact on the centre.

“We are here for the safety of the community and my loyalty lies with my community,” said Weyers.

“Once again, we want to encourage the public, when they visit any shopping mall, not to leave any valuable items in their car.

“Make sure your motor vehicle is locked. Do not just assume when the button goes off, your car is locked. We are getting more and more cases of
theft from a parked vehicle,” said Weyers.

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