Johannesburg - Several vehicles were reportedly stolen near the Mall of Africa in Midrand on Thursday during the shopping centre’s grand opening.
“While today held much excitement with the launch of the incredible Mall of Africa in Waterfall City, there were some unfortunate incidents of car theft reported. The cars stolen were all parked on roads and areas near the mall but not in designated mall parking areas,” the mall’s management said in a statement on Thursday night.
They said “a comprehensive emergency response procedure was implemented and the police were notified immediately”, but that the exact details of the incidents had not yet been confirmed.
“The police will only release figures once the incident report has been fully processed.”
Management urged shoppers to park only in designated parking areas, where full security was employed with state-of-the art security systems and guards posted throughout parking facilities.
“There is also a full police crisis team employed and stationed at the mall, with 42 additional members of the police service patrolling the mall for the week of the launch.”
Joburg metro police department (JMPD) spokeswoman Inspector Edna Mamonyane said they did not have any reports of the alleged thefts. She said it could be that vehicles were towed away for parking illegally as the parking bays were full.
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“We advise motorists to check if their vehicles were towed away,” she said.
Motorists whose cars are missing should go to the JMPD’s offices on the corner of Loveday and Village roads in Selby, she said.
Thousands of shoppers lured by goods discounted by up to 70 percent flocked to the opening of the newly built Mall of Africa in Midrand.
Traffic was delayed on the N1 going north and south as shopaholics made their way to the mall.
“Dear #MallOfAfrica, Thanks to your official opening I’ve been stuck in traffic for an hour! Use a public holiday or weekend next time! NXA,” tweeted Lelo Ndalo.
Mamonyane’s colleague, Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, said they had deployed a number of officers to the mall for security reasons and for traffic control.
Mamonyane said motorists trying to take alternative roads also ended up stuck, as roads like the Old Pretoria Road were equally gridlocked.
While motorists were fuming, shopaholics who had been queuing from as early as 4am were excited, some dancing to music blasted from speakers around the premises.
Hours before Gauteng Premier David Makhura cut the ribbon at 9am, shoppers were standing with their trolleys outside shops, with the almost 6 500 parking bays nearly full by 7am.
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Theresa Smith, who arrived at the mall at about 4am, was going to DionWired.
“I took the day off work so that I could camp outside the shop. I heard of the amazing deals and I had to be here,” she said.
Nearby, hundreds of people were queuing for the opening of the Checkers Hyper.
They were handed pamphlets by employees which displayed the store’s specials.
“I can’t remember exactly what time I got here; I just remember it was still dark and cold,” shopper Mpho Khume told The Star.
Many outlets had displays outside their stores and handed out items such as balloons.
At fashion store H&M, followers of fashion queued eagerly to purchase the coveted range, chatting with each other while a DJ played music nearby.
Many more people were waiting to get in outside as traffic was backed up for several kilometres.
The Star