Warning to people visiting shopping malls in South Africa
South Africans planning to visit shopping malls are being warned that criminals view this time of year as a prime opportunity.
With holiday bonuses, foot traffic surging, and shoppers increasingly distracted, malls become ideal hunting grounds for a wide range of crimes, from shoplifting and card fraud to vehicle theft and hijackings.
Security and risk management firm Phangela Group said that retail crime has been steadily climbing.
The company highlighted that shoplifting incidents in South Africa have increased by 20% between 2022 and 2023, with the Western Cape and Gauteng recording especially sharp increases.
The trend has continued into 2025, where shoplifting and other property-related crimes have surged in high-footfall areas.
It’s not just in-store theft that shoppers need to worry about. The entire mall environment, from parking lots to food courts, creates opportunities for criminals.
Analysts estimate that millions of rand have been lost to vehicle thefts, hijackings, and armed robberies in and around mall precincts, where large crowds can provide cover for organised groups.
“With bonuses paid, festive shopping coming up, and foot traffic spiking in malls across South Africa, criminals see this as an ideal window,” said Peter Kruger, head of growth at Phangela Group.
He noted that packed malls and distracted crowds create a “risk matrix” that affects shoppers long before they enter a store.
Payment cards, loyalty accounts, mobile devices, and even vehicles are increasingly attractive targets.
Financial fraud is another growing threat. Last year, more than 72% of all debit card fraud in South Africa occurred locally, often inside supermarkets, shopping centres, and toll plazas. Criminals continue to exploit weaknesses in retail payment systems, skimming devices, and distracted shoppers at busy checkout points.
Kruger warned that retailers need to secure their digital networks just as tightly as they secure their shop floors, and that consumers must treat their personal data with the same level of caution as their physical belongings.
Be vigilant
Tarina Vlok, managing director of Elite Risk Acceptances, a subsidiary of Old Mutual Insure, also told BusinessTech that many people let their guard down during holiday shopping, giving opportunists the perfect chance to strike.
“The jingle reminds us that ’tis the season to be jolly. But there are also some dangers that opportunists hope to capitalise on. With some awareness, you can reduce your risk of becoming a target,” she said.
When parking, she stressed the importance of double-checking that a vehicle is locked, as remote-jamming remains a persistent problem.
“Even if it sounds simple, you’d be surprised how many consumers don’t realise they have left themselves exposed. Check your door handle to ensure you haven’t been remote-jammed,” she said.
She also advised shoppers to place purchases out of sight. “Don’t advertise what you’ve bought by leaving bags on the back seat,” she said.
“If someone breaks in and the items were visible, you may have difficulty claiming back from your insurer.”
Personal safety inside the mall is just as important. Spar warned that identity theft is not limited to online activity; it also thrives in crowded shopping environments.
Pickpockets, card skimmers, and “shoulder surfers” watch closely as shoppers enter PINs or leave bags unzipped.
The retailer advised customers to shield their PIN at checkout, keep handbags zipped and held in front of them, and avoid becoming distracted by unsolicited conversations—particularly in car parks or in queues, where criminals sometimes pose as helpful staff.
The risks extend beyond theft inside the mall. Security company Fidelity ADT told BusinessTech that hijackings remain largely opportunistic and often take place as victims travel to or from shopping centres.
Criminals monitor patterns, looking for people who are overloaded with shopping bags, preoccupied with their phones, or returning to the same parking spot at predictable times.
Loading ...