THE business robbery in which an undisclosed amount of jewellery was stolen from NWJ at Empangeni’s Sanlam Centre on Friday, was just one of six jewellery stores robbed in the province over the past two months.
In what seems to be a new syndicate targeting jewellers and their merchandise, jewellery stores are now tightening up security.
Two days after the Empangeni robbery, NWJ at Musgrave Centre in Durban also fell victim to a business robbery in which an undisclosed amount of jewellery was stolen.
In a press release, NWJ noted that three of its store were robbed, but declined to reveal the location of the third store.
‘We do not, based on the international best practice, publicly disclose details of the incidents or our counter measures, nor of the number of incidents that may have occurred in any period.’
Five men entered NWJ Jewellers in Empangeni, one in possession of a handgun and the rest wielding hammers which they used to smash through glass casings.
Empangeni SAPS confirmed no new leads have been uncovered.
Meanwhile, Sanlam Centre Management told the ZO that they are in the process of implementing new security measures at the centre.
‘Going forward, we have plans for controlled access, in which people and vehicles coming into the centre can easily be identified.
‘Our new HD camera system will also enable us to provide video footage that is admissible in court.’
Timeline of heists
2 December: 10 trays of rings and earrings stolen from a jewellery store in Matthews Meyiwa (Stamford Hill) Road, Durban.
9 December: More than 50 Tag Heuer watches stolen from a jewellery store in La Lucia Mall, Durban.
8 January: R2-million worth of jewellery stolen from Osiniq Jewels, Hilton Hotel, Durban.
9 January: Watches stolen from Cajee Jewellers at Gateway, Durban.
13 January: Undisclosed amount of jewellery stolen from NWJ, Sanlam Centre, Empangeni.
15 January: Undisclosed amount of jewellery stolen from NWJ, Musgrave Centre, Durban.
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