Warning for shopping malls across South Africa: Criminal Syndicates at work

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Shopping malls continue to be prime hotspots for criminal syndicates looking for easy targets across South Africa.

Recently, Durban metro police made a breakthrough by busting a syndicate that focused on women in shopping centres.

These criminals would kidnap their victims and drain their bank accounts, leading to a string of alarming incidents.

eThekwini municipality officials believe that this particular group is linked to over 30 other cases of kidnapping, fraud, and armed robbery in KwaZulu-Natal.

Zain Soosiwala, from the anti-crime organization eThekwini Secure, has highlighted the growing threat, noting that an additional 79 cases have been reported in Durban alone.

These cases involve individuals being forced to surrender their internet banking passwords and bank card PINs.

This trend is not confined to KwaZulu-Natal, as similar patterns of crime are emerging in other provinces like Gauteng, where shopping malls have also become hubs for sophisticated criminal activity.

One particularly alarming trend has been the targeting of high-value vehicles in mall parking lots.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned the public about syndicates involved in the theft and hijacking of luxury vehicles at shopping centres.

Tracker COO Duma Ngcobo has also recently stated that malls remain a primary hotspot for vehicle thefts, adding that certain days and times are more high-risk than others.

According to Ngcobo, Fridays between 15h00 and 22h00 are prime times for hijackings, while vehicle thefts tend to peak on Saturdays between 11h00 and 15h00.

Even though the SAPS’ latest crime statistics show a decline in motor vehicle theft compared to 2023, the numbers are still concerning.

Between April and June 2024, there were 8,611 incidents of motor vehicle theft reported, down 5.2% from the previous year.

This figure averages out to 96 vehicles stolen each day, which remains a significant issue.

According to SAPS and Tracker data, sedans, hatchbacks, and bakkies continue to be the most targeted types of vehicles.

Beyond vehicle theft, criminals have also set their sights on retail establishments within shopping malls.

Security firm Fidelity ADT has reported that criminals are increasingly targeting clothing stores and other retailers, with a primary focus on cash from tills.

Additionally, these criminals also have the potential to target shoppers’ valuables, including smartphones, jewellery, and money.

Fidelity ADT has advised both business owners and consumers to exercise caution when visiting malls, as the risk of becoming a victim of theft is rising.

These concerns are further supported by the SAPS’ recent crime report, which shows a 2.7% increase in cases of ‘other serious crimes’ across South Africa.

This category includes commercial crime, shoplifting, and various types of theft.

Commercial crime, in particular, has surged by 17.3%, while shoplifting has risen by 4.8%.

The most populated provinces, such as Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, have reported the highest incidences of commercial crime.

Gauteng accounts for 34.3% of all cases, followed by the Western Cape at 19.6% and KwaZulu-Natal at 16.1%.

The Western Cape has also seen the sharpest rise in commercial crime, with a 19.8% increase, followed closely by Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, both recording increases of 19.7% and 19.6%, respectively.

Meanwhile, Limpopo experienced the largest surge in shoplifting, with a 9.7% increase compared to Gauteng’s 7.5%. These figures underscore the growing risk to businesses and shoppers alike as shopping malls continue to be a focal point for both petty and serious crime.

In response to these trends, security firms and law enforcement agencies are urging heightened vigilance in shopping centres.

The growing sophistication of criminal syndicates and their ability to exploit vulnerabilities in crowded spaces like malls means that both businesses and consumers need to stay alert.

The figures show that while certain types of crime, such as vehicle theft, may be showing slight declines, other forms, particularly kidnapping and bank account robbery, commercial crime, and shoplifting, are on the rise.

Fidelity and other security experts have noted that the complex landscape of crime in South Africa’s shopping malls calls for coordinated efforts between law enforcement, private security firms, and the public to curb the rising tide of criminality.

Source: https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/794357/warning-for-shopping-malls-across-south-africa/

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