While many residents say that Laudium is fast becoming a ‘hotspot’ for crime as more and more locals see themselves becoming easy targets for criminals, the local police and the Laudium CPF seemingly show no interest in making the area safer for all residents.
This follows yet another motorbike delivery rider being attacked in Laudium. This time, Checkers Sixty60 delivery rider Lenslord Monashane, was attacked early Saturday morning (Jan 17) by two armed thugs who, after pointing a gun to his head, stole the White Big Boy delivery motorbike (Reg- MK67 PP-GP), that he was riding. The two Black armed thugs accosted Lenslord while he was waiting for a customer to receive their Checkers parcel outside their Bengal Str home and even stole his Hisense smartphone and other personal items.
Lenslord, the Checkers Sixty60 delivery motorbike rider told the Laudium Sun, “Last Saturday was one of the most shocking moments of my life, as I had never experienced such trauma like this before. I was doing my normal delivery work for Checkers and I went to deliver a parcel to a customer on Bengal Street, Laudium. It was early in the morning, just past 8am and I was sitting on my motorbike outside the house, waiting for the customer to open the gate, so that I could hand over the delivery. While I was waiting, two Black African males suddenly approached me. Everything happened very quickly and I did not even get a chance to react. They immediately grabbed me and pointed a gun at me. At that moment, I was terrified and could not think clearly. They demanded I hand over the Big Boy motorbike I was riding and then they searched me. They took everything I had on me, even my cellphone. I realized that there was no way for me to escape and that my life was in serious danger, as they looked determined to shoot if I resisted. I felt completely helpless and my only thought was to stay alive. I knew if I tried to resist or run away, I could be killed. Because of that fear, I kept calm and allowed them to take whatever they demanded. These thugs seemed to be professionals as the robbery was quick. Within about a minute it was over and the thugs were gone with the bike. The fear was overwhelming and I did not know what to do or where to go to after they left. My body was shaking and my mind was filled with panic. I was extremely scared and traumatized after what happened. The thought that I could have been killed stayed with me for a long time. I kept thinking about my family and how easily my life could have ended that morning. This experience has changed the way I feel about my job and my safety. Crime in Laudium is out of control and it is no longer safe, especially for delivery riders like me, who work early mornings. I now feel afraid to deliver goods in this area because criminals move around freely and target people who are just trying to earn an honest living. Every delivery now feels risky and there is that constant fear of being attacked again. Working as a delivery motorbike rider should not mean risking one’s life. There is a strong need for better safety, stronger police presence and protection for workers and residents. Without proper action, more innocent people will continue to live and work in fear every single day.”
Arif Patel of Bengal Street told the Laudium Sun, “Crime in our area is out of control as there is a lot of criminal activity taking place. Even delivery guys are no longer safe, although they are providing a service to residents. These drivers now have to fear for their lives while simply doing their job. It is heartbreaking and frightening to see what our community has become. People are living in constant fear as there seems to be no law enforcement presence, nor proper police control in the area. Criminals move around freely without consequences, while hardworking people have to suffer. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue like this. We are living in a very pathetic society where innocent people are left unprotected.”
Shirish Joshi, also of Bengal Street, told the Laudium Sun, “We as residents feel abandoned as there is a serious lack of safety and security in our area. Immediate action is needed to restore law and order to protect and ensure the safety of everyone living here, including the delivery guys coming into our area. We cannot continue living like prisoners, with gated streets, high walls and electric fencing, afraid to even take a walk outside our homes, even during the day. This is not the kind of community we dream of for our children or our grandchildren. Everyone deserves to live without fear, to walk freely on their streets and to feel safe in their homes.”
