Another week and yet again more crime in Laudium reported to the Laudium Sun, for stats purposes, so that residents remain on their guard… as the local police are failing the community and the Ldm CPF seems more interested in promoting the ANC and the ANC Ward Councillor.
In one of the latest incidents of crime reported to the Laudium Sun, an armed robbery at a local temple has once more proven that thieves have no scruples and would even steal from religious places without giving it a second thought. The robbery that took place in the early hours of last Wednesday morning, (April 23) at around 1:30am, has left the congregation in shock. This follows two armed black males allegedly attacking the security guard at the Sri Muthu Mari Temple on Brown Street. After apparently assaulting the guard, the pair tied him up and then stole a number of valuables, including two generators, a refrigerator and jewellery from the temple. According to the guard, the pair of thugs walked into the premises and walked out with all the items, mysteriously without the aid of a vehicle to carry the stolen goods.
Guru Reggie Naidoo from the temple, told the Laudium Sun, “I’m really disappointed about the armed robbery at our temple — it’s a disgrace to our community. The attack occurred at around 1:30am, according to the report from our security guard, Grey Kambale, who was on his usual night shift duty. He reported that two thugs approached him, pointed a gun at him, assaulted him, tied him up and then demanded to know where the generators and the refrigerator were located. While inside the temple, the thugs spotted the temple jewellery. They proceeded to steal two generators (black in colour), worth R30,000 in total, a refrigerator valued at R7,000, and temple jewellery worth around R40,000. Altogether, the stolen items amount to approximately R77,000. What’s truly baffling is that, according to the guard, the thugs didn’t come in a bakkie or a vehicle of any sort. They allegedly made off with all of these heavy items on foot. That just doesn’t add up. From my understanding, it would be nearly impossible for two guys to carry away all of the stolen items, without transport or other help. I suspect there may be more to this story — possibly even internal involvement. We’ve opened a case with the police and I trust that the investigation will reveal the full truth. Crime in Laudium has escalated at an alarming rate and even the gated systems all around Laudium are no longer enough to protect our community. These criminals clearly have no regard for any religion — they even dare to steal from a place of worship. It’s shameful. I sincerely hope that this time, the Laudium Police will do a thorough job and uncover who was behind this horrendous crime and whether anyone from inside was involved. I appeal to the community, through the Laudium Sun, to contact the police or myself, should any suspicious person offer to sell you the generators, fridge or jewellery.”
Nishan Pillay, a member of the Sri Muthu Mari Temple, told the Laudium Sun, “This isn’t just a crime committed against our temple — it’s a message to all religious organisations that criminals know no boundaries or religion. Crime has no place in any faith. I urge all religious communities — whether Hindu, Muslim, Tamil, or others — to stand united against crime and help bring Laudium back to the peaceful place it once was. We must fight back against crime and show these criminals that we are not afraid. I feel ashamed to live in this place where even sacred temple items are not spared. It’s truly senseless, and those responsible for this disgraceful act must be held accountable and punished.”
united action.
Grey Kambale, the security guard at Sri Muthu Mari Temple, told the Laudium Sun, “I was extremely scared when these thugs came with guns and attacked me — I really feared for my life. The thugs did not seem to be in a hurry, they tied me up and even assaulted me. They then stole the two generators and fridge which they were looking for, but then went on to look for other valuables, stealing a lot of jewellery from the temple, which they found.”
