The organizers of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG event have strongly denied allegations that over 100 participants had their phones stolen during the event on September 26, 2026. According to Jacky McClean, communications manager at Stillwater Sports, only two incidents of stolen phones were formally reported to the event's operations center. These incidents involved participants' bags being cut open, and they were immediately handled according to the event's established safety and security protocols.
The incidents occurred at the starting point for Group D and at the second water point. McClean stated that the event's integrated safety and security operation included private security, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), and the police, with all incidents coordinated centrally by the VOC. The police issued case numbers for both reported incidents, and the organizers have since been in contact with the police to verify if any additional incidents were reported outside of the event's established reporting channels.
Despite reports on social media suggesting that over 100 participants had their phones stolen, McClean stated that the official records of the organizers and the police only reflect two formally reported incidents. Kenny Kunene, the Johannesburg Metro's transport councilor, had confirmed that nearly 100 athletes were robbed of their phones by criminals who posed as fellow participants. Kunene strongly condemned the organized crime, describing it as "shameful and criminal behavior" that is unacceptable.
Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, also posted on X, stating that it was a great running session, but criminals posing as athletes had targeted them. Mulaudzi claimed to be at the police station with over 100 other people who had their phones stolen. The event's organizers have, however, found no evidence to support these claims. Dezroy Poole, event director of the RUN YOUR CITY series, expressed concern that two participants experienced incidents, and the organizers took immediate action through the event's established safety and security structures.
Poole stated that large-scale participation events bring various operational and security considerations. As organizers, it is their responsibility to anticipate these risks, implement appropriate measures, and respond effectively when incidents occur. The organizers encouraged all runners attending large public events to be aware of their surroundings and to keep an eye on their personal belongings. According to the organizers, the security of participants' personal belongings was part of the event's broader safety and security planning.
Before the event, communications sent to athletes encouraged them to use the safe facility for bags on the premises to store their belongings. The bags provided by the organizers and handed to participants before the event had a visible message 'Wear Me in Front.' This message was repeated during the event through announcements by commentators, reminding participants to be mindful of their personal belongings.
The incident highlights the importance of safety and security at large public events. While the organizers took measures to ensure participants' safety, the incident demonstrates that more needs to be done to prevent such incidents in the future. The event's organizers and the police will continue to investigate the incidents and take steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Key points
- - Only two incidents of stolen phones were formally reported to the event's operations center. - The event's organizers and the police have found no evidence to support claims that over 100 participants had their phones stolen. - The organizers encouraged participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep an eye on their personal belongings.
