Shop and Mall Robberies Requires Urgent SAPS Crime Intelligence Attention

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I call on the South African Police Service (SAPS) crime intelligence to urgently investigate and take the lead in putting an end to the rapid and alarming increase in armed robberies at shops and malls.

In the past 24 hours alone, three different establishments have been robbed in three different areas of the metro. A shop in Plattekloof and one in the Bayside Mall became the latest victims of robbery this morning, while Canal Walk last night fell prey to a third robbery in a week.

It is clear that these attacks are not random and appear highly coordinated and planned. To address these, a business-as-usual approach will not suffice.

SAPS Crime intelligence must identify the possible suspects as a matter of urgency and inform the public who can help with their investigation.

As part of the Provincial Government’s oversight role over the operations of the SAPS in the Western Cape, I have already requested to discuss SAPS’ strategy to stop these crimes with the provincial SAPS management at the soonest available time.

Every day without a comprehensive strategy in place to eliminate opportunities for these crimes to occur is another day shopper’s safety is put at risk. Private Security needs to be strengthened, and must work with the SAPS to ensure the safety of shoppers in the province.