Mamelodi East Police Station Commander Terence Naidoo has warned the community and especially shoppers to keep themselves safe against crime during the festive season.
Speaking to Tshwane Talks at the two local shopping malls Mams Square and Mams Mall on Friday, Naidoo said the following:
“As this is Black Friday with many members of the community doing their shopping, we have almost all officers from the Mamelodi East Police Station on patrol at the two shopping malls and the aim is to make sure that there are no incidents of criminality like robberies at the malls, and we are doing visible policing in and around the malls to safeguard the community against criminal activities and making sure that the people of Mamelodi are safe.”
“As we go into the festive season we will continue with the same patrols and visible policing,” he said.
“Shoppers are very happy to see visible policing and they feel safe as many of them have their Christmas bonuses, so they welcome our presence at the malls,” said Naidoo.
Naidoo also sent a warning to members of the community to avoid spending lavishly during the festive season because when the time comes for them to pay their accounts they struggle, and so my advice to the community is that they must manage their money strictly and not buy things that they can’t afford,” he said.
“I would also like to advise the community not to take out loans or buy goods that they can’t afford on credit and must avoid taking loans from loan sharks as failure to repay loan sharks results in pressure being put on them to repay, and this leads to some people committing suicide,” said Naidoo.
“When withdrawing money from an ATM don’t ask for assistance from anyone who happens to be in the queue but rather go into the bank and talk to the consultants therein,” said Naidoo.
He said those carrying cash while doing shopping must always be aware of their surroundings and must not take out money in crowded areas but must go to a private place where they have to pay for what they are buying.
Naido also warned the community to always keep an eye on children so as to avoid incidents of missing children.
“I’m so happy to see cops patrolling at the mal and it make us feel safe while shooping,” said Hilda Raserokele.
“I wished they can do this through out festive season so we can be safe rom criminals at the mall,” said Thabo Ramahlatsi.