By Motselisi Sekonyela
The management of Maseru Mall has hotly rejected reports on various social media platforms that suggest the property is a crime hotspot, especially for car theft.
This as the festive season has begun in earnest as customers flood to shops to purchase key supplies during this period of the year.
The mall – which houses an assortment of trading enterprises that include clothing shops, pharmacies, salons, food outlets and supermarkets – has in recent months gained notoriety as a hub of criminal activities, especially vehicle theft.
However, Eris Group – which manages the mall – has quashed off the claims as “false stories and accusations” and assured customers of their safety during the visit to the multi-million Maloti property during the festive season.
Maseru Mall was developed by Eris Property Group (Pty) Ltd in partnership with CBS Family Trust, Lesotho Public Officers’ Defined Contribution Pension Fund and Metropolitan Lesotho.
“It is really unfortunate that Maseru Mall seems to be gaining a bad reputation on the back of mostly false accusations. The reason why we refer to it as false is because when you check the security and police records, there are no such cases opened in respect to vehicle theft on site.
“As for abduction claims, these were found to be persons leaving on their own accord with people they meet here at the mall then later experiencing unfortunate incidents far away from the premises.
“And as for petty crimes that do happen, they are not unique to Maseru Mall. It happens all over the country,” Eris Group property manager Carina Roux claimed.
In addition, Roux warned that Basotho should “remember that the police cannot combat crime on their own if cases are not reported in detail and timeously to the police” and urged for cooperation with the law enforcement.
Notwithstanding the assertion that the allegations are false, the bad reputation persists, as some motorists who go to this mall say they fear for their safety and that of their property.
Limpho Tsanyane, a young woman in her 20s said she is always anxious when she has to leave her car parked outside the mall while she goes into one of the insurance companies hosted at the premises.
“I am insured with one of the local insurance companies there and it is only situated at this mall. That’s why I have to visit this place to attend to my matters relating to my insurance premium. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even come here, given the reputation of the facility in recent months,” Tsanyane said.
Echoing these sentiments was ‘Mareitumetse Mosala, an elderly woman who was in the company of her granddaughter when she visited Maseru Mall this week. She revealed she only feels secure when she is accompanied by her husband.
Seargent Ntsane Lerotholi who is based at the Maseru Mall police post, backed Roux’s opinion that all these stories that are spread on social media about the high crime rate at the mall “are baseless as the police have never witnessed such or even opened a single case.”
He remarked: “I have been working at this post for over five years. I have never experienced anything of that sort. The only common crimes that happen around here are those of women falling prey to crooks who promise to smuggle goods for them at reduced prices. They end up not succeeding due to the high security, but disappear with these women’s money,” Lerotholi said
He therefore urged shoppers, especially women, to be highly vigilant when visiting the facility, adding that the facility is equipped with CCTV cameras which have proved effective in scaring off criminals.
It is not unusual for retail facilities to beef up security during the festive season, Maseru Mall is no exception in this regard.
“Maseru Mall, just like most shopping centres, takes extra measures over every festive period to enhance our customers’ shopping experience,” Roux added.
Lerotholi reiterated that it is during this period of the year that they are supported by some officers from other police posts and stations to augment police visibility.
The presence of the onsite police station is hailed for beefing up security not only at the mall, but also for the neighbouring communities.
