Stakeholders unite to tackle mall robberies

THE Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a multi stakeholder engagement aimed at reducing the high crime that has rocked shopping centres in and around the Durban area.

The Durban United Against Crime dialogue gave a platform to businesses, government, community representatives and law enforcement agencies to air their views and unite in the fight against crime in the city. This year alone, Gateway, Lu Lucia Mall and The Crescent have been rocked by robberies along with malls in the west of Durban that include, Watercrest Mall, Kloof Village Mall, The Pavilion and Westwood Mall and Pinecrest Centre.

The Durban Chamber said the aim was to protect existing and attract additional investment in the city but most importantly ensure that no human suffers through the hands of another.

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“As the Durban Chamber we abhor any crime in our city. The prevalence of crime in our commercial centres is of serious concern to the business community as it has highly negative effects on doing business,” said the Durban Chamber president, Zeph Ndlovu.

Project executive at the office of the Chief of Metro police, Nhlanhla Mthethwa said, “We need to find a connection between SAPS and Metro to try combat these crimes.” According to Mthethwa as Metro there is not much they can do inside the malls as that lays with mall management, Metro can though assist in patrolling the streets outside the mall.

“In order for us to fight crime inside malls there needs to be a service level agreement between Metro Police and the malls,” he stated.

Visible policing featured high on the agenda and Mthethwa said Metro Police will new police men and women per year aimed at addressing professionalism, establishing a code of conduct and reviewing and revising policies. In addition, he indicated that crime prevention first starts with communities addressing key issues.

Ndlovu said, “It all starts at home, lets go back to basics and teach our children right from wrong.”

Business man, Amit Gopal from Gopal Luggage said, “We can see the real customers from fake shoppers and we can assist in preventing a robbery before takes place if there are proper communication channels.”

Chairperson of the Justice and Safety Forum, Jabu Nkomo said, “We will hold SAPS and Metro responsible and we urge civilians to report officers that are incompetent.”