Nando's at Gateway Mall .. we were looted

We went to Nando's at Gateway Mall Umhlanga on 23 December 2021 at 17H00. The food was good but the experience that we had was terrible. There were nine of us and we were given a table on the upper level .. just two steps up. We had our shopping with us in the trolley. We asked the helper Stabiso to assist to bring the shopping trolley next to us. He said that it is safe to keep it on the lower level. As we were eating our trolley was taken away by ******* at around 18H00. We immediately went to the workers and they said that they will check the footage. After no response for 5 minutes I went to the manageress and she said only she can view the footage. None of the workers could look us in the eye after the manager confirmed that the ******* had walked out with our trolley. Our purchases from Woolworths and Clicks amounted to nearly Five Thousand Rand. Although the manageress was sympathetic to our cause, she said that we could not view the footage as it is an instruction from head office. We could have identified the the ******* and found them in the mall if we could see them and their clothing. The security at Gateway Mall were also not willing to help. I believe that the staff at Nando's are in cahoots with the the ******* but obviously cannot prove it. I am sure if head office is to check the footage and find out how many incidents such as ours are happening at their establishment they will find the culprits. I believe that if the security services and Nando's staff acted proactively the ******* could have been apprehended. Nando's should consider reimbursing us for our loss cause if their staff allowed us to keep our trolley next to us we would not have lost our purchases.