Runners take part in the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10K on Heritage Day, where several participants say thieves stole their phones. Image credit charles Ndau. On x Khathutshelo mulaudzi
Joburg 10K phone theft claims have overshadowed Thursday’s Heritage Day race in Johannesburg. Several runners say criminals posing as fellow participants stole their cellphones during the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10K.
Instead of celebrating at the finish line, many runners spent the afternoon at a police station. One of them, Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, said someone cut open her bag while she was running. However, she could not say exactly where along the route the theft happened.
Mulaudzi later took to X and claimed that more than 100 other runners joined her at the police station to report stolen phones. According to her, the run itself went well, but the day ended with hundreds of people reporting the same crime.
Police respond to Joburg 10K phone theft reports
Police have since acknowledged the reports circulating on social media. SAPS spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said Johannesburg District police management had taken note of the claims. Still, police had received only one formal theft case at the time of their response.
Sibeko confirmed that detectives are investigating the case. He added that police have not made any arrests yet.
Furthermore, police urged anyone who lost a phone or other belongings during the race to report it at their nearest police station. Sibeko also warned the public against sharing unverified information online, saying it could cause unnecessary alarm.
Meanwhile, affected runners have called on race organisers and headline sponsor Absa to explain the security failures. They also want clarity on how many participants lost their belongings. At the time of writing, Absa had not publicly responded to the claims.
The Joburg 10K forms part of the five race Absa Run Your City Series and traditionally takes place on Heritage Day. Its route winds through the city centre and passes landmarks such as the Nelson Mandela Bridge.
For now, the Joburg 10K phone theft reports have raised fresh questions about security at mass participation events in the city.