Security companies give advice after KZN supermarket hostage drama
|Published
Security companies have offered advice on what people should do in hostage situations after staff were taken hostage at a Boxer store in Mandeni, north of Durban, yesterday morning. Police are on the hunt for the armed men who stormed a Boxer store in Mandeni and took some of the staff hostage. Picture: IPSS Medical Rescue.
DURBAN - SECURITY companies have offered advice on what people should do in hostage situations after staff were taken hostage at a Boxer store in Mandeni, north of Durban, yesterday morning.
Police are on the hunt for the armed men who stormed the store and took some of the staff hostage. The robbers fled and nothing was stolen.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said it was alleged that as the staff members were arriving for work they were held up by a group of about six men, who were armed with rifles and pistols.
“They managed to force seven of the staff members into a cold storage facility. The staff members later managed to free themselves.
“Police officers from the Special Task Force as well as the Tactical Response team, together with other specialists penetrated the building and began sweeping the building looking for the armed robbers. During the process they managed to find another three staff members hiding in the building. They were also not harmed.”
Naicker added that police were still searching for the armed men.
IPSS Medical Rescue said they treated those who had been in the cold storage facility on the scene before they were taken to hospital.
“Some time later, another three hostages were released from the store. These staff members were treated on the scene by IPSS Medical and were transported to hospital.”
Jason McCall, marketing communications liaison at Boxer Superstores, said that they were thankful for the assistance of law enforcement and emergency services.
“We’d like to thank the SAPS and armed response officers involved for their quick assistance today. We are very grateful that none of our staff were hurt and all staff have been offered counselling. We are offering the SAPS every assistance as they investigate this incident.”
Henk van Bemmelen, CEO of Blue Security, said that hostage situations were becoming increasingly common in South Africa.
He said while it was frightening to think about being taken hostage, knowing how to manage the situation can help a person feel calm and focused if it does happen.
“Know what to expect as a victim, as you will be overcome with feelings of anxiety, shock, disbelief, and confusion.
“Your first reaction will lead to resistance or retaliation which could have fatal consequences. If you are taken into captivity, comply with your kidnappers and observe your surroundings until you can escape or are rescued.”
He said it was important to remain calm, be polite and co-operate.
“Keep your cellphone hidden on your body if possible. This could become your lifeline. Do not attempt escape unless there is an extremely good chance of survival. It is safer to be submissive and obey the hostage takers.”
Van Bemmelen added that people should also know what to expect from hostage takers, as they could be tense, anxious and nervous, and could overreact.
Tyron Powell, Marshall Security managing director, agreed that people should remain calm and comply with demands.
“Never act erratically or with sudden movements, and never try to be a hero. Do not attempt to disarm the suspects. Get a panic button installed for a staff member to press to send a silent signal to the armed response company, letting them know that something is amiss.
“A silent signal is suitable for when the suspects are already inside the building.”
He said it was important to remember that “armed robbers would be there for a reason, most likely to rob the facility. The sooner they can do so uninterrupted, the sooner they will leave, and do so without any collateral damage if they are left to their own devices.
“Most businesses or stores will have insurance for such situations – physical goods can be replaced, your life cannot.”
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