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From police reports to people speaking out, answers had to be obtained on what the Newcastle Mall intends to do about ongoing crime issues. As the only extensive mall in the area, people’s safety must be prized.
Having ongoing difficulty dealing with the mall’s centre management, the Newcastillian – Online News contacted the holding company Excellerate JHI.
Taking charge of the issue, Excellerate JHI ensured that the Newcastle Mall’s management responded.
But before jumping into the Newcastle Mall’s response, we speak with Newcastle SAPS and Ithemba Security to better understand the situation.
Newcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam states that theft of motor vehicles and theft from motor vehicles has decreased yet is ongoing.
Controversially, Mornè Potgieter, Ithemba Security’s Operational Director, adds that there has been a significant increase when looking at the theft of motor vehicles at Newcastle Mall.
However, he notes that these thefts are associated with professional car thieves. “We have identified there is a specific syndicate operating in the area, and they target older shaped cars. The reasoning for this is because older vehicles are more accessible than the newer model vehicles.”
Additionally, Potgieter points out that there is a large market for these older vehicles, particularly in rural areas such as Loskop and its surrounding areas.
Then there’s the issue of scammers preying on shoppers while posing as employees of the Newcastle Mall’s tenants.
In 2021, a shopper was approached by two individuals claiming to work for Vodacom, conducting a promotion.
At the time, the victim was offered a sim card, which she inserted into her cellphone, according to Arumugam. Shortly after, her cellphone network went down, and money was withdrawn from her revolving bank account.
Because this issue affected both one of the Newcastle Mall’s tenants and a shopper, the Newcastillian – Online News approached the Newcastle Mall for comment, but they chose not to issue a statement on the matter.
Nevertheless, shoppers have come forward stating that items have been stolen from their trolleys while walking around the mall. This usually occurs when the consumer looks away, and an opportunistic criminal capitalises on the situation.
Discussing the solution, Potgieter explains that the mall’s security must be enhanced, as an improved security solution will reduce crime.
However, he claims that the Newcastle Mall is not solely responsible for combating crime at the complex. “One needs to create awareness that people need to be more aware of their surroundings.” Further noting that vigilance should be applied both inside the mall and in the parking area.
Doing their part in assisting the community, Arumugam notes that one of the steps the Newcastle Police will take to combat crime will be implementing high visibility policing in the mall.
With all of the above in mind, responding to the media enquiry, the Newcastle Mall’s management says, “The security of the shoppers that frequent Newcastle Mall is of the utmost importance to Newcastle Mall Centre Management. We track the incidents of criminal activity through close engagement with our own Mall security company, Bidvest Security, the SAPS, community forums, and the local traffic department,” states Beulah Rajkumar.
She further says that it is an ongoing priority to reduce the frequency of these incidents and that the Newcastle Mall Centre Management is constantly thinking about ways to improve security.
“Such measures have included the deployment of additional security during peak shopping occasions that present a higher security risk, such as Easter, Black Friday and the Festive Season. We are committed to continuing to implement measures within our control to improve the shopper’s experience at Newcastle Mall, including safety and security, and future upgrades in this regard have been planned for this financial year.”
Lastly, Rajkumar highlights that the centre management values customer feedback and is happy and available to engage with any public member if they have any recommendations and/or concerns about the Newcastle Mall.
What is your take on all of this? Do you know of any crime committed at the mall? What are your thoughts on the feedback?
Share your views in the comment section below.
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10 Responses
I parked at the Checkers entrance last week and all those taxis and people made me feel so unsafe. There was no security nearby. In future I will think before going to the Mall again
First step to combat crime in the mall is to stop the taxis from entering the mall,these taxis create caos in the mall,people get distracted by them hootering,just stopping unannounced and creating a rakus with their colleagues.There is a rank area that is designated for the taxis,there should be a firm rule in place that this rule is not broken.This will be the first step of combating crime.
I fully agree, the unruly taxis is a great contributor to the entire operation of the Mall. There are signs stating no entry to fare paying taxis, joke, they’re all over the place causing continued disturbance and disruption.
Control them appropriately.
There are crimes every day and every minute at the mall. There are signs prohibiting taxi’s from the main parking which are ignored, the taxi drivers park and stop where ever they want to and cause traffic flow problems. What is the Mall Manager doing about that or have they been threatened, so they should just remove the signs an the taxi drivers are making a mockery of managment.
I haven’t been to my hometown (Newcastle) in a while but when I did return home to visit I was extremely appalled by what turn the Mall had taken. It’s turned out to be almost a taxi rank from where I stood…. with taxis hooters blarring as you enter the premises, as you walk & even as you enter the mall.
I think the mall should be a place of shopping pleasure & not being confronted by a nuisance everytime u get there. Which also causes alot of people loitering at the entrances waiting to be collected by taxis & it really gives the mall a bad outlook.
I definitely won’t be shopping there on my future hometown visits until something is done for a better shopping experience.
Management has no control of Taxis parking any n very where they are a danger n menace to all other “law abiding” motorists also motorists show disrespect for ” Reserved Parking of disabled persons
Very rare occasion can one find the parking available has been brought to Management n Security with no action
On 19th January 2022..on entering Mall right on the traffic circle an arrogant taxi driver simply stopped his taxi offloading passengers going towards entrance 2….thus causing traffic jam on the circle 😡😡😡😡
. Also you have a boom gate at all the entrances why not make use of it. Im very annoyed at the taxis that make the mall as if it belongs to then. They are a law unto themselves. Why is it that mall management and local traffic police not handling them. They have a rank created for them but that rank is nothing but a place for them to clean their taxis leaving dirt everywhere
Honestly I don’t sho at Newcastle Mall my car was nearly got hijacked luckily they were struggling to open the door.
I yelled at that guy who drove APOLLO AND HE RAN OUT
I don’t feel safe any longer.
The management of Newcastle Mall need to go for training at other malls on our country to see how to effectively manage a mall… They speak so highly of their security company yet i never see them. The taxis have no respect for other patrons frequenting the mall and do not adhere to any road rules. Driving into the mall is so frustrating and mall management just don’t care when you complain to them about it… Mall management needs to get a grip please!