A bomb threat at Canal Walk shopping centre forced authorities to evacuate hundreds of shoppers at the mall on Saturday afternoon.
According to shoppers who were at the food court at lunchtime, “nervous-looking staff” came to ask them to leave the area immediately as police were on their way to do a “sweep” of the area.
Parents and kids were quickly evacuated as police swooped in apparently looking for a bomb, but it proved to be a hoax.
Caroline Chester, 39, who was hosting a birthday party for seven 10-year-olds said she was impressed with how quickly the evacuation took place.
“It was an inconvenience, but it was not complete chaos. People were grumpy, and I was too, but we were safe. At least it was a hoax and not real.”
Police cordoned off the food court and games areas and after a thorough sweep by the Bomb Squad, the area was declared safe again.
Canal Walk CEO Gavin Wood said all safety protocols were covered.
“One of our stores received a bomb threat call indicating that there was a device in a tenant's premises. All security protocols were followed and certain stores were evacuated as a precaution until the SAPS bomb squad inspected the area and gave the all clear that the area was safe,” he said.
“We are working closely with the SAPS who are investigating the source of the hoax call.”