ALLEGATIONS of drug dealing happening in the parking lot at Queensmead Mall has been met with concern and prompted the centre management to meet with its security company to investigate the allegations.
The matter was raised by a shopper who asked not to be named.
She told Berea Mail she had noticed drug peddlars moving from the top to the ground level parking handing over small parcels to people in cars or on foot in exchange for money.
The shopper alleges that car guards are aware of the activities and in some instances assist with the peddling.
“At times the sellers will answer calls then go to certain cars or people which shows that they make sure that they are selling to the right people,” she said, adding that reporting these activities to the police had been in vain.
“Crime in this area is very high and uncontrollable. The behaviour of these peddlers shows that they are untouchable,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of centre management, Robyn Renzow said the centre was concerned to hear of the allegations surrounding this illegal activity at Queensmead Mall and urged the public to get in touch with management directly should they witness any illegal activities taking place.
“While all retail centres face challenges, we welcome the public’s input. The public must please note that management and security of the mall is taken very seriously. A private security company, Enforce, is employed to guard the mall and security cameras are installed throughout the centre. If an issue is reported, the matter will be attended to with urgency and in conjunction with the SAPS, with whom we have a close working relationship,” she said.
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Renzow said management was also perturbed to hear of the allegations that parking attendants assist with drug peddling, as many of the attendants had been part of the Queensmead Mall community for some time.
She requested that anyone witnessing such incidents notify the Mall management immediately.
She said a 24-hour security and management was based at the centre.
“In conjunction with SAPS and Enforce, security blitzes are carried out at the shopping centre to maintain a clean, safe and pleasant environment to shop. Queensmead Mall works closely within the community and is a member of the Umbilo Business Forum. We continually strive to improve the overall precinct through community ties, education, funding and business assistance,” she said.
Renzow said management would be meeting with its security company to look into these matters and urged the public to engage with the centre’s security guards or centre management to report issues as they occur so that they could tackle any potentially illegal behaviour around the mall.
“We also invite the concerned citizen who has made contact with the press to meet with us so that we can further investigate the issues highlighted and address them,” she said.
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