With the Laudium and Erasmia area being flooded with nyaopes freely walking the streets, stalking residents outside shops and even at their homes, virtually demanding money from residents, police seem to be powerless to act against these nyaopes.

Residents cannot understand just why the police and officials from the Social Dept are turning a blind eye to the burgeoning problem in the area, more so as the Gauteng Department has funds set aside, specifically to house these nyaopes and thus move them away from the area. Residents say that crime, especially petty crime has risen drastically caused mainly by the influx of these nyaopes who continue coming into the area. Ironically, residents are encouraging more and more of these nyaopes to come into the area, as despite warnings by the local CPF for residents not to
give food and money to these nyaopes, many of the residents are still giving them, resulting, in some cases, with the very same nyaopes then stealing from their homes. In one of the latest incidents of a nyaope invading a private property, a home on Lotus Street was targeted this past Monday (July 29) at around noon. It is believed that the nyaope, managed to jump over the front gate and got into the property. Fortunately the nyaope was spotted in time by the domestic worker at the home, who immediately notified her employer, who was still at home. Elline Mbeve the domestic worker explained further to the Laudium Sun what transpired “I was cleaning the windows in the front room when I suddenly saw a figure and when I looked up, I saw this nyaope guy interfering with the lock of the inside gate that leads into the main house, I then quickly called my boss to come and see what my eyes were showing me. After the nyaope guy got into the front area near the front door, he realized that there were people inside the house, as my boss was shouting, so he ran away and that’s when my boss called out for help, from other people.”

It is believed that the nyaope guy who was wearing a blue Adidas jacket and was armed with a brown stick managed to break the lock of the inside gate that leads to the house, but as he was about to enter the house he heard noises and that is when he quickly ran away. A family member who identified himself as Ahmed told the Laudium Sun, “I came rushing after I heard about the intruder being inside the yard. I am glad that no one got hurt nor did the family lose any valuable items. I just hope that the police get their act together and stop this infux of nyaopes invading the area.”

The Laudium Sun understands that with the assistance of the community and some CPF members, a suspect by the name of Sello Makena was arrested some distance from the home in Lotus Street. Sello who claims to be living in Lotus Gardens told the Laudium Sun “It was not me who tried to break-into that house. I don’t steal nor will I start now. I was not in that house. All I wanted was money.” However, Elline identified Sello as the guy she saw in the yard while she was cleaning. The suspect was later handed over to the police for further investigation. Elline further shared her concerns that she is scared, after spotting the intruder inside the property at her work more so during broad daylight. At the time of going to press, the Laudium Sun understands that Sello was seen on the streets the next day. Police however refused to comment on the matter. The Laudium CPF said Sello was released as the owner did not want to open a case.

Laudium CPF Chair, Shaheen Wahab told the Laudium Sun, “Many residents are quick to flood social media with complaints about crime incidents but fail to report these incidents through the correct channels. This behavior is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the safety and security of our entire community. Looking at past incidents, it is clear that this pattern of behavior is pervasive. Despite the tireless efforts of our CPF members, patrollers, and local security companies, who put their lives on the line to respond swiftly to the calls from the community for help, many of them still refuse to open cases. I want to make it clear to the community: If you do not intend to open a case, then do not cry out for assistance when something happens. Your negligence is a slap in the face to those who risk their lives to protect you and your families.”