On Saturday, April 25 Ms Anika du Plessis went shopping in Highveld Mall. She went to various shops and all her personal belongings were in her handbag that was over her shoulder.
Du Plessis needed to take her grandmother to a clothing store to get a few items for her.
As the granddaughter and grandmother made their way through the isles of the shop, after a while a few items of clothing were chosen.
Du Plessis then pushed her grandmother into the queue, as they waited to pay for the clothing items.
“As I stood in the queue, I looked over and there was this one person looking at me in a very strange way,” said Du Plessis.
After Du Plessis paid for everything at the counter, she started walking out of the shop. She then started looking for her cell phone that was in her handbag.
Du Plessis then went to the store management and asked to watch the video footage.
“In the video footage you can clearly see how he places his hand in my handbag, takes the cell phone out and slips it into his jacket pocket,” said Du Plessis.
Du Plessis then went to Highveld Mall Centre Management and asked to watch the video footage of them walking out of the store.
“They are targeting vulnerable people, just like I was helping my grandmother, they knew my focus was on her. They also targeting women that have children,” said Du Plessis.
Du Plessis then continued; “When I phoned the insurance company I was surprised on the amount insurance companies put aside for stolen phones.”
Besides all the trouble of getting all the contacts back, the most important thing for Du Plessis is her memory card that was in the phone on her child.
“There is a R5000 reward for the return of the memory card most importantly and if possible the phone as well,” said Du Plessis.
Highveld Mall was contacted about this incident.
“We are sorry to hear about this incident. Unfortunately pick-pockets are rife throughout South Africa and this shopper is yet again a victim of crime which is so endemic in our country. We always encourage shoppers to keep their bags zipped up, their wallets in their front pocket in the case of men, and to be generally vigilant at all times. Criminals do however target the elderly and moms with prams,” said Mr Henri Gouws Marketing Manager at Highveld Mall.
Highveld Mall encourages shoppers to always remain vigilant when in the mall or any other public area.
The Highveld Mall team also walks around the mall on a daily basis and points out unzipped bags to their customers and bags lying in a trolley unattended.
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