Two courageous women, who have come out strongly against the ongoing crime and grime in the Laudium/Erasmia area, have decided not only to speak out, but to back their words with action.
The women, Lushika Mooloo of Laudium and Zakira Bhika of Erasmia, told the Laudium Sun, “We are fed up, our family members are fed-up and so are our friends fed-up, with the ongoing excuses we get from the politicians, the authorities and those who are supposedly representing us on the various community forums, to tackle the crime and grime in our area. We are not third or fourth class citizens and thus we will not tolerate third or fourth class services. We are saying NO to poor service delivery, be it at local, provincial or national level of government. While we acknowledge that what happens in other parts of Tshwane, the Province or the country can at times affect us all, we are saying that to us, our area comes first, and we want to re-instate our area, back to the days when streets were clean and kids could play freely in the parks and residents were not fearful of walking to neighbours living in the next street, be it at day or night. Look how we are all living in fear, barricading ourselves in our homes, having high walls and fencing and burglar gates, but that also does not serve as a deterrent to keep criminals away, who are freely roaming our streets, as we do not have competent police officials. Thus sadly we have now even resorted to closing off our streets with gates, as a desperate measure, this is certainly not a normal situation. We therefore say that the time has come that we as residents should unite and re-claim our neighbourhoods. We do not need only those whose voices can be heard, but more those who are prepared to roll-up their sleeves in ensuring that Laudium and Erasmia is a better place for our children and all law abiding residents living in it. We do not need dummies or people who are there for their own fame.” The enthusiastic pair added that after speaking to some residents, they had positive feedback and were even advised to form a structured body, like a Residents Association, so that the concerns of the residents would be heard far and wide and be taken seriously.”
Meanwhile a number of local residents who the pair have spoken to have given the thumbs up for the initiative shown by the two women…
Ismail Essa (Smiley) of Erasmia who is involved with the walling around Erasmia, told the Laudium Sun, “This initiative by the two women is certainly welcome. We need changes for the better in our area and clearly those presently serving on the various community platforms are not performing according to their mandate. In fact many of these community organisations have been captured by certain politicians.”
Erasmia walling project, said that the initiative by the two women is welcome as many community organisations have been captured by certain politicians.
Imraan Ahmed, an exco member of the Claudius Residents Association, told the Laudium Sun, “For too long now certain people in politics and in the CPF were abusing their authority by protecting their corrupt friends. We certainly need an independent structure that cares for the needs of residents and is not covering up for the criminals. I fully support the initiative taken by these two women.”
Mohideen Hasware of Laudium, said, “I support the formation of a neutral Residents Association that is not aligned to any political party. Politics is a dirty game and it is time that we have a Residents Association that is apolitical and not controlled by any politician. I fully support the initiative taken by these two women to take back control of our neighbourhood, so that Laudium and Erasmia can once more be a better place for all peaceful and law abiding residents.”
Shanice from Erasmia who did not give her surname said, “I just want my kids to play safely in the park without worrying. Politics shouldn’t decide if our community gets basic services.”
A number of other residents also gave the thumbs up to the initiative taken by these two women, with one resident, who only gave his first name as Kishore, saying, “Laudium and Erasmia will always have a problem with crime and grime, as Cllr Patel has captured the various organisations like the local CPF and the Ward 61 Residents Association, which have become ineffective. To get things done in our area, we need an independent and non-political Residents Association, led by someone who is not influenced by the rich corrupt people or does not favour his friends who are mostly those who are foreigners or in his political party.”
Attempts to get hold of Cllr Patel for comment were unsuccessful.
*In conclusion Lushika and Zakira said, “We want to have a meeting with local residents who share our beliefs that the time has now come for us to reclaim our streets. We want a constructive meeting without any politics. We are not looking for positions and hope that we will get capable and fearless people who are willing to lead the community out of this crime riddled and decaying place of ours. We will thus be guided by the community as to whether a Residents Association should be formed or any other alternatives.”
Any resident living or working in Erasmia or Laudium who is willing to assist the ladies in achieving their goals in this regard are invited to message them on WhatsApp (No calls):
Lushika: 066 3900 404;
Zakira: 060 9415 387.