Johannesburg race participants report possible phone thefts — TimesLIVE

In Johannesburg, South Africa, participants in the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10km race reported possible mobile phone thefts during the event. Claims spread on social media that more than 100 runners may have been affected, but Gauteng provincial police said there was only one officially registered theft report.

As TimesLIVE reports, law enforcement officers are investigating the circumstances of this incident. Police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko said that no arrests had been made so far and urged victims or people with information to contact their nearest police stations. Police also asked people not to spread unverified information that could cause alarm and confusion.

Participants' statements

Runner Cynthia Pinky Gazela said that someone tried to steal her belongings in the Braamfontein area but failed because she held her bag tightly. Johannesburg mayor's office spokesperson Hatsutshelo Mulaudzi said that her phone was allegedly stolen after her bag was cut during the run. She said she did not know exactly where on the route it happened and believed she was not the only victim.

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Another participant, Magezi Silas Xivuri, said he saw people without race bibs on the course and suggested that they may have joined the race with the aim of committing thefts. Police did not confirm these claims.

Organizers' position

The organizers of the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10km said they officially recorded two cases of bags being cut: one in the Batch D starting area and another near water point No. 2. Police case numbers were issued for both incidents.

According to the organizers, police received no other reports of bags being cut, and event data do not confirm reports of more than 100 victims. Participants were advised to use the guarded storage point for belongings and wear bags at the front.