A large-scale theft occurred during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG run in Johannesburg on Thursday, September 26, 2026, with over 100 athletes reportedly robbed of their phones. The incident has been strongly condemned by Kenny Kunene, Johannesburg's transport councillor, who described it as "organized crime" and "shameful, criminal behavior."
According to Kunene, the thieves posed as fellow participants to target unsuspecting athletes, calling it a "calculated and cowardly attack" on residents who had gathered peacefully to celebrate Heritage Day through sports and community participation. The event was meant to be an opportunity for people to explore parts of Johannesburg on foot and celebrate Heritage Day together.
Kunene urged the police to take swift and decisive action to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the thefts. He emphasized that event organizers have a responsibility to take their safety obligations seriously, including implementing robust security plans, proper access control, participant verification, visible security patrols, and effective coordination with law enforcement agencies.
The incident has caused financial loss, anxiety, and fear among residents, and has damaged the public's trust in community activities. Kunene encouraged all victims to report the crime to the police and to have their stolen devices tracked and recovered through service providers and authorities.
Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, shared his experience on social media, saying that he was at the police station with over 100 other people who had their phones stolen. He described the incident as a "lovely run" that was ruined by thieves who posed as athletes.
Kunene emphasized that the city will not let criminals intimidate residents, take over public spaces, or destroy the spirit of community events. He vowed that those responsible will be pursued and brought to justice. Johannesburg belongs to its residents, not to criminals, he said.
The incident highlights the need for event organizers to prioritize the safety and security of participants. Kunene stressed that safety should not be treated as an afterthought and that proper planning, accountability, and cooperation with law enforcement are essential for future events.
Key points
- Over 100 phones were stolen during the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG run in Johannesburg on Thursday, September 26, 2026.
- The incident has been condemned by Kenny Kunene, Johannesburg's transport councillor, as "organized crime" and "shameful, criminal behavior."
- The city is urging event organizers to take their safety obligations seriously and implement robust security plans to prevent similar incidents in the future.
