Just where are CPF Chair Shaheen Wahab and Cllr Naeem Patel, both from the ANC, concerning the ongoing crime in Laudium?
Their silence is most deafening. The pair who just cannot stay away from the camera, were quick to pose in front of the newly installed CCTV cameras mounted on high masts, with four cameras each at the main entrance of Laudium and at the entrance of Itireleng in April 2025. This, not forgetting the praises the pair sang at the time for ANC Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, despite missing several deadlines on the promises he made to have the cameras installed much earlier. Typical of many politicians in the ANC, Panyaza seemingly had no follow up plans as to who would monitor the cameras and who would respond when incidents of crime were detected. This, the pair more ‘affectionally’ known as ‘Changu & Mangu’ who often ‘hoodwink’ the community concerning poor service delivery in the area, have also to this day, not explained as to who is responsible for monitoring the cameras and if the cameras were in fact being monitored at all.
Now, not surprisingly so, residents in the area have reported to the Laudium Sun that the cameras on the corner of Military Road and Delhi Avenue (near Itireleng) were stolen last Saturday, but seemingly those who are (if any) supposed to be monitoring the CCTV cameras are not even aware that the cameras have been stolen.
This follows the solar panels for the cameras being stolen not long back, despite both being mounted on a high mast. Also missing however, are selfies of the pair, in front of the mast, showing the empty spots where the missing cameras and solar panels once were.
Daniel Zakie, a shop owner from Delhi Avenue in Laudium Ext 3, told the Laudium Sun, “I noticed that the CCTV cameras were missing last Saturday and from what I observed, it seems likely that the cameras were stolen in the early hours of the morning. The cameras were definitely still there the day before (Friday), so the theft must have happened overnight. This is not the first time something installed for community safety has been targeted. Earlier, the solar panels that powered the lighting were stolen and now the CCTV cameras have also been stolen. The cameras were installed some months ago so that the community could benefit from these, but even that has now been stolen. I am not sure if the cameras were even functioning, because if they were, the thief would have been captured on CCTV and the necessary reaction team would have been alerted. I honestly believe that the move to install CCTV cameras was the right step, because crime in this part of Laudium has risen very sharply. We have been experiencing break-ins, vandalism, cable theft, theft of panels and suspicious activity almost weekly. Many residents hoped that with the new cameras, law enforcement would be able to use the footage to identify suspects, track stolen vehicles or at least discourage criminals from entering the area. Ironically, even the cameras themselves are not safe anymore. This shows just how brazen and confident these criminals have become. They know that they can operate without fear because there is little to no immediate response from the police when such incidents occur. Crime is at such a level, where nothing seems secure any longer. Even equipment meant to protect the community, shockingly ends up being stolen. It’s extremely frustrating for residents and business owners who are trying to make an honest living, while constantly dealing with theft, damage and the financial strain that comes with replacing items grabbed by criminals. We do not feel safe at home, we do not feel safe at work and now even the infrastructure meant to improve our security is being targeted. The crime situation is getting totally out of control. The cameras were supposed to help reduce crime, but their disappearance shows just how urgent the need is for stronger security measures, Quicker response times from the police and more visible policing is now urgently required.”
Vella Chetty, a resident of Delhi Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “The level of crime in this area has become too overwhelming and now even the CCTV cameras that were installed to improve our safety, have been stolen. This clearly shows that these criminals feel unstoppable and are able to commit as many crimes as they want, without any real fear of consequences. When the very equipment meant to monitor and deter criminal activity ends up being stolen, it raises serious questions about how unsafe our community has really become. There is absolutely no proper system in place from the side of the authorities. They installed these cameras knowing very well that the location is high-risk and vulnerable, yet they did nothing to ensure that the cameras were protected. There were no anti-theft measures, no additional security structures and no precautionary planning. It feels as though they simply installed the cameras for the sake of appearance, without thinking about how the cameras would be safeguarded, who monitored them and who would respond when activities of crime were detected. The fact that the thief or thieves got away stealing the CCTV cameras without being detected says it all. This is a completely careless and poorly planned approach. The entire situation reflects a blunt and irresponsible move by the authorities. The authorities should have anticipated that the cameras would be targeted, especially considering the crime rate in this neighbourhood and the previous thefts of infrastructure in the area. Proper planning, stronger protective casing, regular police patrols and stronger 24 hour monitoring of the CCTV cameras could have prevented this theft.”
Bengal Street resident, Anil Hira, told the Laudium Sun, “The entire system that is currently in place from the street gating system to the CCTV cameras shows no proper planning at all. Decisions are made without any real thought about the community’s long-term safety or the effectiveness of these installations. People in leadership positions seem to do things only to impress society or to gain votes, not because they genuinely care about improving our neighbourhood and safety. It feels like the focus is on showing the public that something is being done, rather than on actually implementing solutions that work. What is even more concerning is that these actions appear to benefit a few individuals financially, while the community gains nothing. At the end of the day, it is us as residents who suffer, because of a government that has no clear strategy and no understanding of what is truly needed. They
install cameras without protection systems and without proper oversight, such as monitoring and response. This careless approach is exactly why the CCTV cameras were stolen. It is the result of their negligence and lack of planning. Until there is real responsibility and proper implementation, the community will continue facing the consequences of poor governance.”
