It is clear that the ANC-led government is fast losing control in combatting crime, as more and more members of the SAPS seem not to be interested in serving the community, but rather in their own pockets.
The shocking revelations at the Madlanga Commission (which the Laudium Sun has attended from time to time) of many senior members from SAPS top management, implicated in various crimes including corruption, is disturbing, but not surprising. Thus, corruption at the lower end of the SAPS ranks, those who are meant to protect the community, will probably continue, until the rot at the head is not cleared.
This follows residents in the Laudium/Erasmia area, once more calling out for an increase in police visibility, following an armed robbery this past Tuesday morning (March 17) at around 10am in Erasmia. Four Black thugs driving a white Audi A4 (registration number DG21XJGP) attacked two local Indian males on the M26 road (between the R55 and the BP garage), after their car, a white Jeep, suddenly got stuck on the road.
Victim Noor Mohammed of Bengal Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “I was driving my white Jeep with my friend, Mohammed Ali, on the Erasmia Main Road (M26) coming from Erasmia and driving towards the R55 intersection. All of a sudden, my car stopped and we were stuck on the M26, about halfway between the BP Garage and the R55 intersection. So, I called someone to come and check out what was the problem with the car.
It was broad daylight and there were a lot of cars passing, so we did not even think that it was dangerous while waiting for assistance. But then, all of a sudden, a white Audi A4 (registration number DG21XJGP) stopped and I saw there were four Black males sitting inside the car. Two of the Black males got out of the car and approached us, pointing guns at me and my friend. The thugs demanded that we empty our pockets and hand over all monies we had and our cellphones, or else they would shoot us dead.
We literally didn’t know what to do because it was really a frightening moment. The one thug who was near me, made sure I emptied my pocket, demanding I take out everything. I showed him my ‘Honor’ cellphone, but the screen of the phone was broken. The thug arrogantly said that he has a better phone than me, so he didn’t take my phone. Then the other thug who pointed a gun at my friend, told my friend to take out his phone and money.
Both of us did not have any cash on us, but my friend had an iPhone XR, so the thugs took his cellphone. The thugs spent almost 3 minutes and quickly searched my car, but there were no other valuables, so they left. I managed to take a photo of their car and their registration, with my ‘broken’ cellphone.
This was a very scary moment for both of us and we were left shocked and shaken after the incident. We did not expect something like this to happen in broad daylight, especially on a road that people use regularly. We were helpless and could not react because the suspects were armed and aggressive. Our main concern at that moment was our safety and we were just hoping that the situation would not turn worse.
This is really a terrible situation and we are traumatized now. As residents, we are at risk of falling victim to crime wherever we are, in our homes and even on the streets. We are not safe anywhere. The police need to urgently do more patrols on this road. Seeing that this road is not safe during the day, can you imagine how unsafe it is at night. It is completely dark, as even the lights on this road are not working.”
Passenger, Mohammed Ali of Erasmia, told the Laudium Sun, “I was in the passenger seat and we were driving, going to Centurion. One of the thugs pointed a gun at me and took my iPhone XR. It was a really bad day for us and during the month of Ramadaan.
would be attacked by armed thugs on a fairly busy road in broad daylight.
We were so traumatised. Although we always read in the Laudium Sun about incidents of crime in the area, we never imagined that we would be attacked by armed thugs in broad daylight and on this fairly busy road. We didn’t expect that at all. The main problem was our car got stuck and that’s why the thugs took advantage and robbed us, as we were alone waiting in the car.
Luckily, we did not get hurt as these guys seemed dangerous and threatened to shoot us. The thugs were aggressive and very quick and everything happened in just a few minutes. We hope that the police will arrest these criminals and increase police patrols in the area.”
Pritesh Bhana of the Erasmia CPF told the Laudium Sun, “The Erasmia Community Policing Forum (CPF) is liaising closely with the South African Police Service and relevant stakeholders to support ongoing interventions aimed at addressing criminal activity in the area. Members of the public are urged to always remain vigilant, particularly when utilizing less frequented routes and to report any suspicious individuals or vehicles to the SAPS without delay. The CPF reiterates that community co-operation is essential in the collective effort to combat crime and enhance public safety within Erasmia.”