Security under spotlight at Empangeni shopping centre
Staff on edge following robbery of jewellery store at the mall
SECURITY at Sanlam Centre in Empangeni has come under the spotlight following a robbery at the American Swiss jewellery store last Monday.
A source told the Zululand Observer on Friday that the centre needs to upgrade its security.
‘There are guards on every floor of the centre, but none of them were present when the robbers hit American Swiss.
‘Everyone heard the glass breaking when they were smashing the cabinets and an employee screamed when they entered, but the guards never showed up or even checked up on the situation after the robbers had left,’ the source said.
‘The staff at the store is always on edge when someone walks in, they don’t feel safe at all. The centre really needs to upgrade security.
‘There should be at least one armed guard at every entrance of the centre because clearly these robbers know that security is not armed and they can easily get in and out – and that’s exactly what they did,’ the source said.
Police are still searching for four suspects who robbed the store and escaped with watches and necklaces among other valuables.
‘One of the suspects was armed. They entered the store and forced employees to one side and began smashing the glass cabinets containing jewellery and grabbed watches and necklaces and other valuables before fleeing the scene,’ Empangeni police spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said.
The getaway vehicle, which was stolen in Durban, was found abandoned.
Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them on 035 9015833 or Crime Stop on 086 00 10111.
This is the second jewellery store hit at the centre this year.
In a similar incident in January, five suspects entered, one of them armed and others wielding hammers, robbed NWJ and got away with an undisclosed amount of jewellery.
Sanlam Centre Empangeni Portfolio Manager Marina Roets declined to comment on the matter, stating that it is against their policy.
Also read:
Robbery in American Swiss at Empangeni Sanlam Centre
Empangeni jewellery store robbed in broad daylight
