It is evident that the Laudium and Erasmia CPFs are not playing a meaningful role in
assisting the communities they represent, concerning the fight against crime, as residents continue to report more and more crime to the Laudium Sun each week, with weekly crime details and stats seemingly being withheld by the local police and the CPF.
In one of the many crimes reported this week to the Laudium Sun, armed thugs confronted a resident the previous weekend at around 9:30pm. Three thugs with guns accosted Pearl Street, Laudium resident, Yaseen Daud Essa Hasan, as well as a friend, as they were waiting for a client on Bengal Street, Laudium, stealing his company car, a white Suzuki Swift (registration number KW 83 WY GP), along with cash and other valuables.
white Suzuki Swift, that was stolen by the thugs.
Yaseen told the Laudium Sun, “I was driving my company car, a white Suzuki Swift. I work for a company called Home Remitt, and I am a field officer in that company, so the car stays with me all the time. The previous weekend, I went to see a client who told me to wait for him on Bengal Street, opposite the Himalaya Heights flats. It was around 9:30pm. I was parked off and sitting in the car with a friend, when suddenly three Black thugs who were on foot approached us. All of a sudden, one of the thugs pointed a gun at me and another thug pointed a gun at my friend who was sitting on the passenger side. The thugs demanded that we hand over all our money and cell phones. I had R5,000 on me, and the thugs took it, together with my friend’s cell phone and mine, which were both Samsung phones. They also took my passport, which was with me at the time. The thugs then threw us out of the car and drove off with my company’s car. We were left standing there in shock and fear, not knowing what to do next. This experience was really horrible for us, because we have never experienced such a crime, where thugs threatened to shoot us. We were frightened for our lives and at some point, we thought that the thugs would shoot us and we would die there on the street. It was a very traumatic moment for both of us. But, with the blessing of God, the thugs did not harm us, but only took our belongings. We are grateful that we survived the incident without any physical injuries, but the fear and shock are still there. The crime situation is really bad here in Laudium, especially at night. We cannot go anywhere without fearing for our lives and the situation is becoming very worrying for residents in the area. Police patrols play a crucial role in maintaining law and order, but unfortunately police visibility in the area is very scarce, so criminals get the upper hand to commit crimes. There is a pressing need for more police presence, especially at night, so that residents can feel safe in their own neighbourhoods. I hope we will get back our car and especially my Indian passport.”
experienced crime where thugs threatened to
shoot them.
Asif Patel of Pearl Street, told the Laudium Sun, “This is a really scary time we are living in. I heard about my neighbour’s company car being stolen on Bengal Street. This is really scary because it seems that residents cannot move around freely in Laudium, especially at night. Even when I go for prayers at the Mosque at night, I do not go alone as I am afraid, so we always go in groups. This is a very frightening time we are living in, where we do not have the freedom to move, the freedom to pray, or the freedom to eat out peacefully. People in the community are living in constant fear because crimes like these are becoming so common. It is not just about losing material things, but about the real fear of being attacked or killed at any time, especially during the night. The lack of security and visible policing is making the situation worse as criminals are becoming more daring and continue committing such crimes without fear of consequence.”
about losing material things, but about the fear of being attacked or killed at any time.
Sameer Patel, also of Pearl Street, told the Laudium Sun, “Residents feel helpless and worried about their safety and the safety of their families in this community. It is urgent that something is done to address this issue of crime before it becomes even more serious. Living in fear every day is not normal and people deserve to feel safe in their own area. The community needs proper police protection so that residents can live their lives without constantly worrying about crime. Everyone should be able to go to the Mosque, visit friends, or even step outside their homes without feeling unsafe. This is a serious concern that needs urgent attention.”