MILNERTON
Email: tyger@dieburger.com
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B u r g e r Wednesday 21 March 2012
Tel: 021 910 6500
Fax: 021 910 6501
A massive cleanup
The most recent beach cleanup initiated by a group of local kiteboarders saw some 1,5 tonnes of rubbish removed from the beach between Lagoon Beach in Milnerton and Melkbosstrand. Organiser Gregory Player says they were very thankful for the great turnout of volunteers as well as the sponsors. The collected bags of rubbish filled three full bakkie loads and a full trailer. The next beach cleanup will take place on 28 April. Any beaches that need cleaning can be logged on the Blouberg Beach Cleanup Facebook page or follow @bloubergbc on Twitter.
) ‘Inside job’ suspected at Absa bank
Followed and robbed ANDRÉ BAKKES
The John Montague Centre’s Absa Bank has come under unwelcome scrutiny after two “bank following” incidents in two months. TygerBurger reported in articles entitled “High drama on streets” and “Police delay questioned” on 22 and 29 February how suspects followed complainants from the bank to other locations and then robbed them of their money. In the first incident (9 January), R9 000 was stolen and in the second
(16 February), R350 000 was stolen. Karen Barry, regional executive of Absa Western Cape, however, assures the public that they continue to take the safety of communities very seriously. “We place substantial effort in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our customers, clients and staff,” she continues. “The bank is doing everything possible to deal with the matter in collaboration with the South African Police Services and all other authorities,” she insists. Milnerton Police Station commander, Brigadier Marius Stander,
also praised the co-operation they received from the bank during their investigations. The two complainants who wish to stay anonymous are both convinced that it was an “inside job”, meaning they are sure that someone from within the bank somehow signalled a third party. One of the complainants, who is particularly distressed, is adamant that it’s his right to view the bank’s video footage, but this flies in the face of bank policy. It is believed that the public can only view this footage if they have a subpoena, but Barry cannot con-
firm this. She explains: “From a security point of view, we are not in a position to comment further or share details of the investigation as this matter is currently under investigation.” The police have also apparently seen the footage, but they can’t comment on the matter either. Says W/O Daphne Dell: “We cannot confirm anything at this moment, because it is still under investigation.” The more vociferous of the two complainants first drew attention to what he believed was tardy police
investigation. As a result he went ahead and viewed the shopping centre footage of 9 January himself, and apparently clearly saw the suspects following his wife from the bank after she drew R9 000. He also claims one of the suspects went into the bank after his wife went in and came out a few seconds later. The second complainant says that he saw the centre’s footage – of the day he and his father were robbed – under police supervision. In his case no-one seemingly followed them into the bank itself.