Crime in Laudium’s neighbouring informal settlement area of Itireleng, continues to be a great worry for the residents living in the area, with Laudium police seemingly not interested in curbing the problem.
Despite residents in Itireleng calling on top police brass and politicians to beef up policing in the area, these calls have been met with deaf ears. During the last local elections in 2021, the then Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, while campaigning for votes for the ANC, promised to return “within a month” to the area, with his full team of top brass to listen and tackle the concerns of the community concerning crime. However, as many other politicians before him, the promises made, seemingly turned out to be a ploy to ‘hoodwink’ the residents just to receive votes for the ANC.
A crime Imbizo was also held about a year back, where it was agreed that top police brass would have further interactions with relevant role-players concerning crime in the area, but this also turned out to be a ‘false promise.’ Not surprisingly the local ANC branch has also been quiet as gun toting criminals intensify their attacks on locals. Reports of several armed gangs operating in Itireleng have surfaced many times, with many murders and serial murders and rapes often being committed.
The crime infested area has no proper policing and residents have been, for long, calling for a police station or even a satellite station to be built in the settlement area, due to police from Laudium reluctant to patrol and protect the residents living there.
In one of the latest incidents of murder, a Laudium CPF ‘Youth Desk Commander’ was killed execution style, in what is believed to be an attack to stop him, for his zest and dedication to fight crime in the area he lived in. Innocent Matome Malete was gunned down this past Saturday night (March, 2) while he was sitting outside his shack with two of his friends at around 11pm. A resident who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals told the Laudium Sun, “These armed thugs came up to Innocent and without saying anything to him, one of them just shot him in the head after which they took a cool walk away, without any fear of being apprehended. Crime in Itireleng is very high and we live in fear all the time. Even the members of the local branch of the ANC are afraid of these armed gangsters, that is why they are not even speaking out about crime in the area. The same Saturday night there was another shooting incident where two guys got shot during a robbery, one guy got shot in the hand and the other in the leg. These shootings and robberies are becoming very common in the area, with the Laudium police not doing anything about it.”
Chairperson of the Laudium CPF told the Laudium Sun, “The tragic killing of our CPF Youth Desk Commander and additional member of the CPF, Innocent Matome Malete, has deeply saddened all of us in the CPF and in the Youth Desk. We are outraged by the brutal killing and are calling on the police to do everything in their power to arrest and prosecute the culprits involved. Innocent was a dedicated leader committed to uplifting the youth and ensuring the safety of our community. His senseless murder is a devastating loss to all who knew him and to the community he served so passionately. We feel very strongly that we as the CPF cannot allow his murder to be just another statistic and hence we are offering a reward of R5000 from our personal funds, to the person who gives information leading to the arrest and conviction of all those involved in the murder of Innocent. The high crime in Itireleng is of great concern to us. On the same Saturday evening, there were two attempted murder cases reported and a vehicle was also stolen in the area. These crimes once more highlight the growing lawlessness in Itireleng, which has become a breeding ground and a safe haven for criminals.” Shaheen added that the Laudium CPF was working closely with the SAPS, adding, “We call on the SAPS and all relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to restore law and order in Itireleng and surrounding areas. Criminals must not be allowed to operate with impunity. On behalf of the Laudium CPF and the Youth Desk, we extend our condolences to Innocent’s loved ones.”
Meanwhile the Laudium CPF and Youth Desk held a memorial service for their fallen member, on Wednesday (March 5) at the Laudium Civic Centre. Nabawi Jaffer, the PRO for the Youth Desk, told the Laudium Sun, “The memorial service held today (Wednesday) was to honour the memory of our beloved member, Innocent Matome Malete, who was brutally killed over the weekend. The service was attended by a diverse gathering of representatives from various organizations, as well as members of the South African Police Service. We thank all those who attended the service in honour of Innocent.”
Yaseen Tinwala, Chairperson of the Laudium CPF Youth Desk said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Innocent, who was an invaluable member of our team. Our thoughts and prayers are with his
family and friends during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”