With service delivery failing at all levels of government, especially those led by the ANC, residents are becoming more and more frustrated.
This follows not only the ANC-led Tshwane Council failing residents, but also the ANC led Gauteng Provincial Government, with the latest complaints being the replacement of traffic robots with stop signs at the busy intersection of the R55 and M26 (Erasmia) road. Local motorists have also complained of the lights on these roads not working for months now, saying the darkness has resulted in crime surging in the area, making it unsafe to travel, especially at night. Over a short period of time, there have been several reports of hijackings and robberies on the R55, nearer to Laudium.
In one of the latest incidents of crime, a motorcycle delivery bike rider for Checkers Sixty60, was attacked the previous Monday evening, by thugs who abducted him and loaded his motorbike onto their bakkie, as he stopped at the intersection of the R55 and M26 road. Mcpherson Akimu, the delivery worker for Checkers Sixty60 and a resident of Emerald Street, Laudium, was returning home from work in Centurion just past 8pm when he
was accosted by four armed thugs travelling in a white Nissan bakkie, who stole his delivery motorbike (Model: Big Boy, Registration No: MB94JJGP), loading both him and the bike into their vehicle.
Mcpherson told the Laudium Sun, “I was returning from work at around 8:30pm. I work as a delivery guy for Checkers Sixty60 in Centurion. As I approached the stop sign at the R55 and M26 road intersection, a white Nissan bakkie suddenly pulled up next to me. Four black guys jumped out and pointed a gun at me, demanding that I hand over all my belongings. They first took my Big Boy motorbike and loaded it onto the back of the bakkie. Then they forced me into the vehicle with them. They took the R500 cash I had on me and my Samsung A32 cellphone. They drove me around Centurion for a while before finally dropping me off near the KFC robot in Laudium. I honestly thought I was going to die. I thank God that I’m still alive. They took everything—my motorbike, my money, and
my phone. It was a terrifying experience. We work so hard day and night, but crime in Laudium and around the R55 is out of control. I’m truly frightened, with the R55 being so dark at night due to the street lights not working. I hope the criminals who did this to me are caught and that justice is served.”
who was accosted by 4 criminals at the R55 and M26 (Erasmia) road intersection, said it was a terrifying experience.
Saras Pillay, a resident of Emerald Street, told the Laudium Sun “Crime—especially house break-ins, kidnappings, and violent incidents—are increasingly on the rise in Laudium and surrounding areas. It’s truly terrifying. We can’t go anywhere without fearing for our lives. As a country, we have to ask ourselves: where are we heading? The The R55 and M26 (Erasmia) road intersection near Laudium where a Checkers Sixty60 rider, Mcpherson Akimu, was abducted and robbed of his motorbike. Emerald Street resident, Saras Pillay, said it “feels like the criminals are taking over and we’re losing control.” R55 has been dark for years and the traffic robot has not been working for a long time. It feels like the criminals are taking over and we’re losing control. We have the resources to fight crime, but they’re not being used effectively. If we’re serious about change, we need new strategies—innovative, impactful action—not just empty talk. It’s time to think outside the box and do real work on the ground to protect our communities.”
Concerned Emerald Street resident, Suder Reddy, told the Laudium Sun, “Crime is at a very high level in our area and regardless of race or religion, everyone is exhausted by the daily crime incidents happening around us. It’s a terrible situation and it feels like we have no clear idea how to put a stop to it. To fight crime effectively, we need unity. That can only happen when all people come together for one common cause. Division only makes the criminals stronger and if we stay divided, we as a community—especially the Indian community—will become weaker. If this continues, I fear that one day we may all feel forced to leave the country. Something has to change before it’s too late.”
Reddy, said everyone is exhausted by the daily crime incidents.