Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber concerned at spate of business robberies

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Eastern Cape police say the Rolex watches which were recovered this week following a robbery at a jewellery store at the Boardwalk, were Not found in a toilet cistern at the airport as initially reported.

In a brief statement on Friday, provincial police spokesperson, brigadier Marinda Mills, says the 12 watches, worth an estimated half a million rand, were found at an undisclosed location near the airport.

She says police regret the error or any inconvenience caused to the Airports Company South Africa.

Last Thursday a group of men assaulted one of two staff members at Fischers Jewellers at the Boardwalk before smashing a display cabinet and dashing off with several expensive Rolex watches.

No arrests have yet been made.

Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber says its exremely concerned about a recent spate of business robberies in the Metro.

Chamber CEO, Kevin Hustler says it's an indication that all businesses are vulnerable targets to organised crime syndicates.

He says the rising threat of crime impacts on the sustainability of business, which in turn affects business' ability to contribute effectively to the economy.

Hustler says the business community needs to be in a close relationship with the South African Police Service who are collaborating quite strongly with private security companies to combat crime.

"In affect the business community needs to have these strong partneships, but obviously if you are vulnerable your businesses are going to be struck, so you need to be very aware and alert to whats happening in the surrounding areas. This is obviously of major concern due to us wanting to trade in a safe and secure enviroment." says Hustler