Image by The Boston Globe
Johannesburg – In South Africa, December, synonymous with the festive season, is filled with celebrations and braais. It is a period where families, friends, and even strangers come together to revel and share in the season’s joy.
However, amidst the festivities, there is a darker side to this time of the year. Criminal activity tends to surge, encompassing citizens’ offences such as traffic violations, physical assaults, and online scams.
As such, the heightened foot traffic in shopping centres becomes an opportune environment for criminals to prey on unsuspecting individuals. Unfortunately, this reality hit close to home for Salaamedia Presenter Mariam Mia when she became a victim of a pickpocketing incident at Pick n Pay in Sandton City Mall.
Perpetrators, blending in as fellow shoppers, executed a scheme where they subtly bumped into Mia, gained access to her bag, and successfully stole her phone. Thankfully, mall security intervened promptly, apprehending the two unidentified individuals whom she later charged.
Though Mia describes the entire experience as prolonged, overwhelming, and confusing, she finds solace in the fact that her ordeal played a role in the apprehension of the criminal syndicate.
“I don’t know how long they’ll be in jail or what, but at least for a while, they’ll be off the street, and a message will go out to the others that people are onto them.”
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Take Extra Precaution This Festive Season
In South Africa, unfortunately, crime has become ingrained in our culture. Like many other challenges afflicting our nation daily, we actively combat it.
Although dealing with the prevalence of criminal activity during the festive season can be exhausting and disheartening, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must continue to follow measures to safeguard ourselves, our families, and fellow South Africans.
When in public or crowded spaces, always watch your children closely. Stay vigilant regarding your surroundings and personal belongings. Avoid openly displaying wallets, purses, and phones.
In the evening, especially in areas affected by load shedding, steer clear of poorly lit areas and opt for well-lit routes. Before leaving your homes, ensure they are securely locked, with all entry points properly secured.
Additionally, exercise caution online. Refrain from sharing personal information and avoid opening emails, texts, or direct messages on social media from unverified sources. If something appears to be a scam, it probably is.
While these guidelines are general practices for all South Africans, consumers should also expect their safety to be prioritised when it comes to shopping malls and markets.
If not, Mia suggests that, as consumers, we have the right to demand that shopping stores, malls, and restaurants implement proactive measures to prevent such robberies and guarantee a safe and secure shopping experience.
“We should take our precautions, but we should also hold the stores accountable to keep us safe.”
