THE EFF IN TSHWANE DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SECURITY FAILURES AND ALLEGED POSSIBLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE OPERATING IN MENLYN MALL
By Fighter Obakeng Ramabodu
EFF Tshwane regional chairperson
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Tshwane are outraged by the recent incidents at Menlyn Mall, which have highlighted an alarming and unacceptable trend of human trafficking and violent assaults, particularly targeting young women. Menlyn Mall, one of the largest and most frequented shopping centers in Pretoria, has become a breeding ground for these heinous activities due to gross negligence and apparent complicity by both the management of Menlyn Mall and the security company tasked with safeguarding the premises.
The incident involving Bernichia Horing, where unknown men reportedly entered the ladies’ bathroom with a wheelchair and injected her with something that knocked her unconscious, is a glaring testament to the severe security breaches that have become all too common at Menlyn Mall. The lack of surveillance footage capturing this incident is indicative of either gross negligence or deliberate sabotage by the security personnel.
Such occurrences are not isolated but rather part of a disturbing pattern of human trafficking and assaults reported within the mall’s premises. This cannot be tolerated, especially in a mall that hosts a significant number of young people daily.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that if Bernichia Horing’s mother had not been
present and shouted for help, Bernichia would likely have gone missing. Her mother’s quick Tshwane actions were the only thing standing between her and a potentially tragic outcome, highlighting the urgent need for immediate and effective security measures at Menlyn Mall.
It is beyond comprehension that in a mall as significant as Menlyn, there can be such blatant disregard for the safety of its patrons. The security company, which is supposed to be the first line of defense, has failed miserably in their duties.
This failure leads us to strongly believe that they are complicit in the syndicate operations that are endangering the lives of our young women. The management of Menlyn Mall and the security company must be held accountable for their gross negligence and possible complicity in these criminal activities.
The EFF demands that the management of Menlyn Mall immediately beef up security at all entrances and within the bathrooms.
This includes installing additional surveillance cameras, employing more trained security personnel, and conducting regular patrols to ensure maximum safety. Furthermore, given the evident failures and possible complicity of the current security company, we demand their immediate termination.
A new, reputable security service must be engaged, one that prioritizes the safety of mallgoers over any other interests.
Menlyn Mall management must provide a detailed report on the incident involving Bernichia Horing and all other reported cases of human trafficking. This report must be made public to ensure transparency and accountability.
The public has the right to know what measures are being taken to protect them and to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The EFF in Tshwane will visit Menlyn Mall to engage the management and also to verify the type of security measures in place.
We need to ascertain whether we are dealing with mere incompetence or a syndicate disguised as security personnel.
Our visit will also involve a thorough inspection to ensure compliance with all relevant security laws and
regulations, including the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA), which mandates that security personnel must be properly trained and vetted to perform their duties effectively.
To restore public confidence, we call upon the Tshwane Metro Police to deploy a specialized team to assess the security situation at Menlyn Mall.
Their presence will deter criminal activities and reassure the public of their safety.
The EFF is committed to protecting the rights and safety of our community.
We will not stand idly by while our young women are subjected to such heinous acts.
We call upon the residents of Tshwane to join us in demanding accountability and immediate action from Menlyn Mall management and the involved security company.
Together, we can ensure that Menlyn Mall becomes a safe space for all.
The time for complacency is over. Menlyn Mall must act now to rectify these security lapses and protect its patrons.
The EFF will continue to monitor the situation closely and take further action if necessary.
Our young women deserve to shop, socialize, and enjoy their time at the mall without fear for their safety.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure this becomes a reality.
The EFF will not rest until the safety and security of Menlyn Mall are significantly improved and those responsible for these security breaches are held accountable.
The safety of our children and community is non-negotiable, and we demand immediate action to ensure that Menlyn Mall is no longer a haven for criminals but a safe environment for all who visit.