With a couple of weeks until the start of the festive season, residents and businesses in Pretoria are urged to tighten their security, as incidents of business robberies and home invasions usually rise during this period.

According to Fidelity ADT spokesperson Charnel Hattingh, while many are preparing for a well-deserved holiday and festive shopping, criminals are also gearing up to take advantage of the season’s busier pace.

“During this time, it’s important to note that it’s not just shoppers preparing. Criminals see this as an opportunity to strike.”

Hattingh said that small businesses are particularly vulnerable to such crimes, as criminals often pretend to be customers to gain entry.

“Small businesses are most affected because even if they do have a security door and buzzer, when a customer arrives, you have to open it for them,” she explained.

Her warning comes after a series of business robberies were reported in Pretoria late last month.

According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, eight suspects were arrested after a business robbery took place in Sunderland Ridge, Centurion, on October 28.

“It is reported that the suspects robbed the store at gunpoint, loaded the stock into a truck and drove off, escorted by a Kia vehicle,” said Nevhuhulwi.

Security officers traced the suspects’ truck and getaway vehicle to the R55 near Raslouw in the Wierdaburg policing precinct, where a shootout ensued.

“Shots were fired between security personnel and the suspects. In the process, one suspect and a security guard sustained gunshot injuries,” she said.

She added that police arrived during the exchange and arrested all eight suspects, including the injured one.

“Two firearms, the truck, and the Kia vehicle were seized for further investigation.”

On the same day, another violent business robbery unfolded in Pretoria West, where police managed to arrest five suspects following a high-speed chase and shootout.

Pretoria West police spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said members of the station’s crime prevention unit had been on patrol when they were alerted to a recent robbery in the area.

“The officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and attempted to pull it over, but the suspects sped off, leading to a chase,” Vuma said.

Shots were fired during the pursuit before the suspects’ grey Nissan Micra crashed into a wall on Luttig Street with the assistance of private security company Vision Tactical.

“Three of the suspects tried to flee on foot but were caught. All five suspects were arrested and detained at Pretoria West police station,” said Vuma.

Police recovered a firearm stolen from a national traffic police officer earlier in October, along with other items linked to the robbery.

The vehicle was also seized, as it had been used in the commission of the crime.

“The suspects were charged with business robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen property,” Vuma confirmed.

In light of such incidents, Hattingh has also urged residents to remain vigilant in the suburbs as criminals are increasingly using deception to gain access to private properties.

“This is also not a new trend; criminals just find more innovative guises to successfully gain access to a property. They very often pose as council workers coming to check a meter box or with a form you have to sign for whatever reason,” she said.

She cautioned that these criminals often watch homes to learn the residents’ routines, particularly when domestic workers are alone.

“This is an opportunity for them to pose as delivery services or maintenance workers to con the domestic worker into opening the gate.”

She emphasised the importance of never opening the gate to strangers.

“Your perimeter protection is your first line of defence, and if this is breached by someone opening the gate, things can go wrong quickly,” Hattingh said.

She added that employers should enforce a strict rule for anyone at home to not open the gate for strangers, regardless of who they claim to be.

“Ideally, homes should have an intercom system from which you can clearly see who is at the gate and communicate with them about what they want without having to go outside,” she advised.

She also shared important principles to always follow when a stranger arrives at the gate.

Ask who they are and what they want. If you were not expecting them, don’t let them in, no matter what their story is. If they say the employer ordered them to come fix something, the domestic worker should immediately call their employer to confirm.

If there’s no intercom, communicate through a window from inside the locked house. Keep a remote panic button close at all times and press it if you see anything suspicious, especially for domestic staff.

She also warned that beggars at gates, even those with babies in prams, should be treated with caution, as some may use distraction tactics while accomplices try to gain entry elsewhere.

“Protect your loved ones and your possessions by sticking to strict security rules at home and ensuring you have the right systems in place. Arming the alarm system each and every night should be a good habit to develop, thereby decreasing the risk of a home invasion,” added Hattingh.

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