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Criminal Foiled by Canal Walk Security Staff

A failed heist in the Canal Walk retail center in Cape Town, South Africa, caught a thief in the act. This made the news. The incident happened on Tuesday, and a TikTok user named Faamz shared a video showing the escape attempt and the Canal Walk security officers taking the man down with the description “When the Great Escape didn’t go as planned.”

According to Canal Walk’s marketing manager Vanessa Herbst, the person was involved in criminal activity but could not provide any further details. However, Faamz included a hashtag indicating that the thief had been stealing.

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@fameelahkarriem #fyp#coughtstealing #nomercy ♬ Oh No – Kreepa

The video went viral, and others on social media said that the security guards looked like big bouncers and that this was a “smackdown of note.” But several people were worried about how the robber was caught in the act. “If a police officer took that guy down, people would call it police brutality,” said one user.

While others praised Canal Walk’s security personnel, some questioned private security’s unchecked power in the country. Nevertheless, many viewers commended the guard and said they should be training the police force.

Canal Walk shopping center’s security is highly regarded by many, and its efficiency in foiling the robbery attempt has been widely lauded. However, “Canal Walk security don’t play,” said one user.

The incident serves as a reminder to everyone to be vigilant out there. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior, and always report any criminal activity to the authorities.

In the end

Canal Walk’s security personnel demonstrated their effectiveness in catching a thief during a botched robbery attempt at the shopping center. While some have questioned their methods, many have praised their efficiency and called for their training in the police force. This incident should remind everyone to be vigilant while out and about and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Lerato Mokena

Lerato Mokena is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene with a focus on emerging voices from Khayelitsha to the Bo-Kaap. Born and raised at the foot of Table Mountain, she brings an insider’s eye to how creativity shapes—and is shaped by—South Africa’s complex social landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, Lerato can be found surfing Muizenberg’s gentle waves or debating politics over rooibos in her grandmother’s Gugulethu kitchen.

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