Despite the failing ANC-led Tshwane Council claiming that their Metro Police, regularly patrol all Council owned properties and despite the Council awarding huge tenders, (many to friends of the ANC), for security guards to guard these premises, armed thugs managed to attack the security guards at the Cuprene Street Reservoir in Laudium.
While the CPF is seen by many residents as ‘glorified car guards’ their input in curbing crime remains questionable. The attack last Thursday evening (August 27) at around 6.30pm, was believed to have been carried out by four foreign nationals Black males, who robbed the two security guards who were on duty at the time. The thugs managed to escape, without being spotted by the police or the CPF Patrollers, after stealing the guards cell phones, cash and wallets.
Prince Molele, a security officer from Eulitsaki Security Services who have been awarded the tender to guard the reservoir on Cuprene Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I was not on duty on the day when the robbery took place, but our two security guards who were on duty that night were accosted by the armed thugs. It was in the early evening, at around 6.30pm, when the two security guards who were guarding the reservoir on Cuprene Street were attacked. We had deployed two security guards because we know how dangerous Laudium can be, so we made sure that there were two guards on duty to protect the premises. According to what I heard from both guards, there were four armed Black foreign national thugs who approached them at the gate. They then pushed both security guards inside the premises of the reservoir and pointed guns at them. The security guards were robbed of all their belongings, including their cell phones, wallets and the cash they had on them. They told me that the attack was extremely traumatic for them, especially because they were confronted by four armed thugs while they were simply doing their job and guarding the reservoir. There was no damage to the reservoir and nothing was stolen from the premises. However, the guards were left terrified after the incident and it is concerning because they have to continue working in the area and protecting the premises. We do not see much police patrols in the area these days and I believe more police visibility could help prevent incidents like this from happening. According to the description given, it seems that these criminals are known to many people, as they are often seen sitting around the Jacaranda Park and it seems that they are from Mali. The police need to randomly patrol Jacaranda Park, especially during the evenings and search all these guys who loiter there, but do not live in the area. Our security guards are also members of our community and deserve to feel safe while doing their jobs. We cannot allow criminals to continue targeting people who are simply working to protect properties and provide security. I believe stronger police patrols and greater visibility in areas such as Jacaranda Park and around Council owned property including the reservoir could help improve safety in the community.”
Asif Patel of Cuprene Street told the Laudium Sun, “I heard about the robbery that took place at the reservoir. This is now really bad because these security guards who are meant to be guarding Council property are being attacked. It is very concerning that criminals can simply approach security guards while they are carrying out their duties and just rob them. These guards are there to protect the property and ensure that everything remains safe, yet they themselves have now become victims of crime. Security guards should be able to carry out their duties without constantly having to worry about criminals targeting them. They are working to earn a living and are responsible for protecting important public property, so it is disappointing when they are attacked or robbed while doing their jobs. I hope the police will catch those responsible for this incident as quickly as possible. The criminals
who commit these crimes must be brought to book because if they are allowed to continue without being caught, they will become even more confident and target residents and their homes. Crime is really getting out of hand
these days and it feels as though not enough is being done by the police and the CPF to curb it. As residents we are becoming increasingly concerned about our safety and for those people working in the area. We need to see stronger action from the police so that criminals know that they cannot simply commit crime and get away with it. It is important that the authorities take incidents such as this seriously and investigate them properly. The community should not have to live with the fear that workers, residents and people going about their daily lives could become victims at any time.”
