Promenade Mall a ghost town after bomb scare
THE Liberty Promenade mall in Mitchell’s Plain was like a ghost town during lunchtime yesterday following an alleged bomb threat.
According to one tenant who asked to remain anonymous, shoppers and staff had to evacuate the mall immediately following the warning.
“The evacuation was dealt with in a very swift manner, we were very well supported by police and the bomb squad because they were here within minutes and they were pivotal in the evacuation of the mall to ensure safety,” she said.
A Tafelsig resident said he was still working out at the Zone Fitness gym when they were told to leave the building.
“Niemand weet wat gebeur het nie,” he said.
“Mense stood outside for more than 10 minutes before they told us to leave the parking area.”
When they visited the mall, shoppers and staff were seen sitting outside the entrances of the building for more than two hours.
Brenda Bibby, general manager of Liberty Promenade said that following the immediate evacuation of the mall, an all-clear was received from the SAPS and the Bomb Squad.
“Normal trading has resumed. Liberty Promenade would like to sincerely thank shoppers, staff, tenants, safety and security officers for their co-operation during this process,” she said.
Provincial police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the incident, sayng police members responded to a complaint of a bomb threat at a shopping mall in Mitchell’s Plain, after an email was sent to the Security email address.
“The management at the mall requested all people to evacuate the building.
“The Provincial Bomb Disposal Unit (explosives unit), assisted by handlers of the Provincial K9 unit entered the building in search of suspicious parcels or objects,” he said.
Van Wyk added that nothing was found and that the building had been declared safe for business as usual.