![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2015/11/1549kcellphonelet_49133.jpg)
ALBERTON – Last week on November 22, I was in Truworths at Mall of the South at about 18:00, when my cellphone, a Samsung Galaxy S4, was stolen from my handbag.
I’m so upset as on my phone was the journey of my 10 month old baby girl, in photos, and what she went through before and during the time of her heart operation.
I don’t really have much hope my phone will be discovered or has maybe been found but on the off chance, I am offering a reward for the return of my phone with all the photographs intact.
If you can help, please phone me on 076 719 4400.
Chantal
Response from Waldo Marcus, head of marketing at Mall of the South
We urge customers to please visit the security control room at the mall to report any incidents and to check if someone did not hand in the missing item.
As at November 24, we have 23 unclaimed cell phones at lost-and-found. We also have several other valuable items, including handbags, jewellery and watches that were handed in by security and cleaners. Items are usually left in trolleys or bathrooms.
All retailers are impacted during the festive season with crime increasing at malls. Shoppers must be vigilant and ensure their handbags are closed properly and do not leave bags unattended.
The South African Council of Shopping Centres issued the following safety tips for shoppers:
n Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious looking persons/behaviour even in queues to the centre guards.
n Be alert when leaving shopping centres. Should you suspect that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station.
n All valuables must be safely put away in the boot or under the car seat in order to avoid smash and grab incidents.
n Do not leave your handbags or valuables unattended while shopping.
It is, however, very sad to hear about the loss of personal information, especially in this case when a lot of sentimental value, in the form of photographs, cannot be replaced.