Smash-and-grab incidents have tripled in the past month in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), according to a security company that monitors the area.
A video of a smash-and-grab incident that took place at the corner of Market and Mooi streets in the Johannesburg CBD on an undisclosed date left many South Africans shocked as the criminals committed the crime in broad daylight.
A video filmed by FASDA security cameras shows a double cab bakkie approaching a traffic light at the same time as a minibus taxi with what seems like pedestrians walking on each side of the road. Before the car stops completely, one of the men walking on the roadway calls his friends who come running down to the motor vehicle.
The man who was standing on the roadway smashes the bakkie’s window while the others surround the car. More men are then seen surrounding the car on the other side. A total of nine people are involved in the smash-and-grab.
The men are captured trying to break the other windows as the driver remained still at a traffic light. The attackers are seen going to the driver and an exchange seems to take place between the driver and two of the attackers. The driver is captured exiting the vehicle after the horrific ordeal and picking up something on the floor before getting back to the car and driving off.
Owner of FASDA Protection, Andy Henry, said there are between two and sic smash-and-grabs in the area daily. “We’ve reached out to the police on numerous occasions, but it just seems to be falling on deaf ears,” he said.
Henry attributes the increase in smash-and-grab incidents to a lack of police visibility and victims choosing not to open cases. “By the time the police arrive, the victims are gone. They just want to get out of there. So, no one is being convicted, and they’re getting away with these crime,” Henry said.