The renewed effort comes after two business robberies were reported within two days in the CBD recently and business owners are fed-up to such an extent that one has offered a R50 000 reward for any information that can lead to the arrest and retrieval of a truck that was stolen during one of the incidents.
The association condemned the robberies that took place over two days saying they will not let criminals dictate over them or their businesses.
The spokesperson for the association, Ali Salman says the incidents come at a time where the association is reclaiming the city from thugs who terrorise customers and business people daily, mainly targeting the elderly.
“I think that since we and the taxi associations have started patrolling the city’s streets, it has been difficult for criminals to commit crime in the streets. This is why we are anticipating that the number of business robberies that are committed, might increase.
“This, however, simply means that business owners need to ensure they form part of the association so that we can ensure that they have the necessary back-up when these incidents occur.”
Salman says they believe that the robberies might have occurred as a result of the criminals working with someone within the businesses.
“It is shocking that a business in the CBD can be robbed during business hours, and in the full view of customers and employees.
Nothing has been confirmed at this stage but we will assist the police wherever we can.
“It is about time that criminals realise that we are here to stay.”
The first robbery took place in the early hours of 4 July between 04:00 and 05:00 at a business premises in Paul Kruger Street where a truck worth R600 000 was stolen.
The owner, Peter Muhlarhi says on the morning the security guard on duty heard how the truck was started and saw it being driven off, but he assumed it was the driver who was on his way to work.
“It was only later that morning when the driver arrived and realised the truck was not there and I was called.
“The keys had been locked in a box in the office on Friday and we found it in the exact box. A case was opened at the Polokwane police and we enlisted the assistance of a tracking company to locate the truck.”
The truck was seen on the tracking system travelling along the R37 towards Burgersfort.
Muhlarhi says they tried to follow the truck but the signal was lost and no further leads surfaced.
“If anyone has information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects and the retrieval of the truck we will offer a reward of R50 000 to that person. Anyone with information can contact us on 087 133 0031, 061 400 7743 or 082 563 7026.”
The second incident took place at a clothing store located at the taxi centre in Church Street and Salman alleges that a group of heavily armed men driving a silver Toyota Fortuner barged into the store.
“I am not quite sure what they managed to escape with but the police were on the scene and a case of business robbery was opened. We have received the registration number of the vehicle linked to the crime and are circulating it within our groups in hopes of catching the suspects.”
Attempts to get comment from the store management did not yield any results by the time of going to print.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that a white Hino truck was reported stolen and a case was opened.
“No arrests have been made so far and the police investigations continue.”
He could, however, not confirm the second incident by the time of going to print.
