Suki (tobacco) worth $300, cash and phones are but some items alleged to have been stolen from Nausori vendors’ stalls over the weekend.

This is not the first time the incident has happened, market vendors have claimed, adding that it is an ongoing concern.

In light of this, Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, said they are investigating the incidents.

More than fifteen Nausori Market vendors have raised concerns about the series of alleged break-ins with tills broken into, cash taken and items on sale also missing.

A Nausori Market vendor, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, alleged that $300 worth of suki was stolen from his stall.

“This isn’t the first time we have been robbed, and the thieves use the same entry,” he said.

“I saw that my drawer’s locker was broken and six kilograms of suki was gone.”

Alvin Chand, who sells fruits, claims that his locker was also broken into.

“I left $200 in the money box and this morning I found my money box on the other side of the market. All my money was gone.

“This is scary because we can never know when it can happen again.”

Narend Prasad claims that despite security guard presence, the alleged incident still happened.

“This is the third time my stuff has been stolen. Although I’m used to such robberies now, it still worries me,” he said

Inise Vatuloka and her husband sell kava and other items from her stall.

She said it was their only source of income for the family.

“But I have to keep going despite knowing this can happen again,” she said.

“They took $100 money and two phones. They broke into three lockers.”

CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras, despite being installed in the market, are not deterring suspects, another vendor, Pardeep Kumar, said.

He claims that bottles of oil, a radio and coins were stolen from his stall.

“It shows in the camera how one person covering him/herself strolls around to steal from different stalls. It’s scary how these things keep happening,” he said.

Saravina Buresova makes her income through selling handicrafts at the market.

“I was supposed to supply one of my customers with a mat for which she had paid in advance.

“I left it in the money draw and locked it before I left.

“When I came this morning (yesterday), my drawer was lying outside.

“This is my only source of income and such robberies makes it hard.”

The vendors at the market have also raised concerns about the lights being switched off before 6pm.

“We have requested them (Nausori Town Council) to keep the lights off during the day and on at night at least but we’re told it’s a sensor.

“Day light robberies continue and now the night ones are getting worse,” they said

Nasinu and Nausori Town Council chief executive officer Anurashika Bari said a similar incident happened at the Nasinu Market.

She said both matters have been reported to Police and has urged vendors to exercise caution.

“We are urging vendors not to save their valuables, meaning money or phones in the market,” she said.

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