Johannesburg, South Africa – February 25, 2026 – Shoplifting continues to pose significant challenges for businesses and citizens across South Africa, contributing to financial losses and broader economic strain in the retail sector. According to recent data, theft-related incidents, including shoplifting, affect millions annually, with small businesses particularly vulnerable.
In the 2024/25 period, theft of personal property impacted approximately 1.2 million individuals, down slightly from 1.3 million the previous year, representing about 2.6% of the population aged 16 and older. This category includes shoplifting, which forms a notable portion of reported retail crimes. Between July and September of a recent quarter, South Africa recorded 10,263 shoplifting incidents, highlighting the ongoing scale of the problem. Earlier figures from 2021 to June 2023 show that courts handled 6,001 shoplifting cases, with 68% of them filed during that timeframe.
The rise in shoplifting has been linked to economic pressures, including high levels of hunger and poverty, which have driven some individuals to commit these acts. In small businesses, shoplifting accounts for over 20% of experienced crimes, directly affecting operational sustainability. Retailers report that such thefts cut into profits, with losses estimated at 1.5-2% of turnover in some cases, exacerbating financial performance issues. For citizens, the indirect effects include higher prices as businesses pass on the costs of shrinkage, while communities face reduced access to local stores that may close due to repeated losses.
Commercial crime statistics, which encompass shoplifting and related offenses, showed a 2% increase in the third quarter of 2025/26 compared to the previous year. In Gauteng and other provinces, syndicates have been observed controlling retail corridors, leading to price fixing and intimidation of local competitors. Employee theft also compounds the issue, with studies indicating it undermines business stability and can lead to related workplace crimes. Overall, property-related crimes like burglary and theft decreased in some quarters, but remain elevated, with 42,969 residential burglaries reported in one recent three-month period.
Reporting rates for theft incidents are low, with 69% of affected individuals not notifying the South African Police Service (SAPS) due to diminished faith in law enforcement. This underreporting contributes to the persistence of the problem, as many cases go unaddressed. In the retail sector specifically, a surge in shoplifting was noted between the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, with incidents increasing by 20%. More recent trends indicate that while some violent crimes have declined, commercial crimes continue to rise, affecting businesses nationwide.
To mitigate these challenges, retail stores in South Africa have implemented various evidence-based measures. Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems, which use tags on merchandise that trigger alarms if not deactivated at checkout, have proven effective in deterring theft. These systems reduce incidents by alerting staff in real-time. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, strategically placed for full visibility and integrated with AI analytics, detect suspicious behavior and provide evidence for prosecutions.
Store layout optimization, such as arranging aisles for clear sightlines and using mirrors to eliminate blind spots, limits opportunities for concealment. Employee training programs focus on recognizing signs of theft, such as gathering multiple items or hiding products, and engaging customers proactively to discourage attempts. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags track inventory and alert to unauthorized removals.
Additional low-cost strategies include displaying anti-theft signage at entrances and exits, which acts as a deterrent, and securing high-value items behind counters or with locks. Some retailers employ undercover security personnel to monitor and intervene discreetly. Inventory management practices, such as regular audits, help identify discrepancies early. These combined approaches form a layered security strategy, with retailers prioritizing high-impact measures like EAS and CCTV for maximum effectiveness.
Tragic Kidnapping in Toekomsrus Leads to Discovery of One Victim’s Body
Randfontein, West Rand – February 25, 2026
Authorities are intensifying efforts following the kidnapping of two young men in Toekomsrus, a area outside Randfontein on the West Rand. The incident occurred on February 15, and has since resulted in the recovery of one victim’s body from an abandoned mine shaft.
The body of 21-year-old Ashley Scheepers was found in the disused shaft, confirming a grim outcome for one of the victims. The other individual, a 17-year-old male, is still unaccounted for, with search operations ongoing to locate him.
Investigators have linked the case to alleged activities by “Zama Zamas,” a term used for illegal miners who frequently operate within abandoned mining sites. These locations in parts of Gauteng are known for their structural instability and have been connected to various criminal incidents over recent years.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is leading the investigation into the kidnapping and related events. Current priorities include advancing the probe, coordinating search and rescue initiatives for the missing teenager, and implementing safety protocols for communities near these hazardous abandoned mines.
Local residents have expressed heightened concerns about the risks posed by such sites, which continue to attract unauthorized mining operations despite their dangers. Officials have not released further details on suspects or motives at this time, as the case remains active.
Shootout at Randvaal Petrol Station Leaves Officer Injured, Two Suspects Dead
Randvaal, Gauteng – A confrontation between South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and armed suspects unfolded at the Engen Blockhouse service station along the R59 highway in Randvaal on the morning of February 25, 2026. The incident resulted in one police officer sustaining gunshot wounds and two suspects being fatally shot during the exchange of fire.
The shootout took place at approximately 6:53 AM SAST, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. Authorities established a crime scene at the location, blocking off the road leading to the petrol station and deploying multiple police vehicles to secure the area. Motorists traveling northbound on the R59 toward Johannesburg were advised to avoid the vicinity due to the ongoing police activity and resulting delays.
Details of the events leading up to the shootout indicate that the suspects were involved in robbery activities at the time of the encounter with police. The injured SAPS member was promptly attended to, though the extent of the wounds has not been disclosed. The two suspects were pronounced dead at the scene following the gunfire exchange.
The R59 highway, a major route in Gauteng connecting areas south of Johannesburg, has seen similar incidents in the past, but this event stands as a distinct occurrence on February 25, 2026. No additional casualties among civilians or further suspects have been reported in connection with this specific shootout.
Investigations into the identities of the suspects and the precise circumstances surrounding the initiation of the shootout remain ongoing as of 9:57 AM SAST. Authorities have not released further statements regarding potential motives or related arrests at this time.
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Foiled Cash-in-Transit Heist at Alex Mall Leaves Guard Injured, One Suspect Arrested
Johannesburg, February 24, 2026 – A cash-in-transit (CIT) heist attempt at Alex Mall in Alexandra was thwarted by a swift response from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), South African Police Service (SAPS), and private security on February 23, 2026. The incident occurred around 5:30 PM near the mall’s taxi rank entrance at the intersection of London Road and Lenin Drive.
According to reports, a group of armed suspects targeted a CIT vehicle in a cross-pavement robbery. The suspects used explosives in an attempt to breach the vehicle. Gunfire erupted during the attack, with multiple shots fired. A CIT security guard was shot and sustained a gunshot wound. The injured guard was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shoppers and bystanders fled the area amid the gunfire. Two suspects initially robbed the guard, taking his firearm and a bag that had been collected from a store inside the mall. Another guard inside the CIT vehicle returned fire, discharging several shots at the fleeing suspects. It remains unclear if any suspects were struck by this gunfire at the scene.
The suspects fled on foot toward the River Park area and into nearby houses. Police cordoned off two sections: one around the CIT vehicle and another around two Toyota Avanza taxis that were reportedly shot at during the incident. The mall’s glass door near the entrance showed visible cracks, likely from gunfire.
A police helicopter was deployed overhead, and multiple ambulances arrived at the site. Armed officers secured the mall’s entrance near the taxi rank. The Gauteng provincial joint operations committee confirmed reports of shots fired and a robbery in progress.
In the pursuit, one suspect was located in a house near the intersection of Lenin Drive and London Road and was apprehended. Additionally, two suspects involved in the group that used explosives on the CIT vehicle were shot and killed during the operation.
The incident caused significant traffic congestion at the London Road and Lenin Drive intersection. No cash from the CIT vehicle was stolen, marking the heist as foiled. Authorities have opened cases for attempted robbery, attempted murder, and possession of illegal firearms and explosives. A manhunt is ongoing for any remaining suspects.
The public has been advised to avoid the area during investigations and to report any information to Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app.
