It is apparent that the community is not being properly represented by the Laudium CPF, concerning policing in the area and many residents believe that it is perhaps time that the Exco members of the CPF go on ‘pension.’
This, despite the mandate of representatives of the CPF being to speak on behalf of the community and to ensure that their concerns are seriously considered, at meetings with officers from the Laudium Police Station. However, the CPF Exco, headed by South African Pakistan Association Chairperson, Zahid-ul-Zama is seen by many to be cosying up with police officers for their own gain, instead for the benefit of the community as a whole. Seemingly many of the Exco members of the Laudium CPF who are also active members of the ANC, are seen as proxies for ANC Cllr Naeem Patel, who also sits as Exco member on the CPF.
This follows yet more crime reported in the area to the Laudium Sun this week, while the CPF remains silent on releasing relevant information on crime stats, in the interest of the community. In one of the incidents reported recently, two Black thugs broke into the home of Malika Pillay (79) on Mocha Street in Laudium this past Saturday night (June 27) at around 10pm. The thugs tied Malika tightly to a chair before searching her home for valuables and within minutes, the pair left after stealing cash and a large Samsung flat-screen LCD TV. According to neighbours, an unfamiliar white bakkie was seen parked in front of Malika’s house around the time of the attack and it is believed that the thugs used the bakkie to load the TV and make their getaway.
Malika of Mocha Street, Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “I was inside my house alone when the attack took place. It was around 10pm and I was sitting in my living room, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I noticed two thugs inside my house. I was shocked and terrified because I did not hear anything before they entered. It seems that the pair jumped over the front gate and forced their way through the front door, which is how they gained access into my home. Before I could react or call for help, the two Black guys grabbed me and threatened me. They then tied my wrists tightly to the arm rest of my chair in my living room so that I could not move or escape. They were very aggressive and demanded that I hand over money immediately. At that moment, I was extremely scared for my life. I am an elderly woman and I felt completely helpless. I honestly thought that they might kill me, because of their threatening and violent behaviour. I am a pensioner, living hand to mouth, thus I could not understand I was being attacked by criminals in my house. The only money I had was my pension money which was an amount of R2,000. I kept it aside as I wanted to buy groceries and meat for the month and pay for electricity. Out of fear, I handed over the money to them without resisting because I did not want them to harm me. After taking the cash, they searched the place and probably realised that I did not have other valuables, besides my television, a Samsung flat-screen TV. They stole the TV and then fled the scene, leaving me tied up and traumatised. This attack and invasion into my house has left me deeply shaken because I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. I am still trying to recover from the fear and shock of that night. At one point, I truly believed that I was not going to survive. It is heart breaking to see how cruel the world has become, where criminals have no pity or mercy, even for elderly people. Crime in Laudium has gone very high and has become really bad. It seems that these criminals have no fear of being caught by the police and thus can do as they please. There is no longer a sense of safety, especially for vulnerable residents like myself. I hope that something is done by our leaders in the community together with the police, to improve security because no one deserves to go through such a terrifying experience in their own home, as I went through.”
Kanie Moodley, also of Mocha Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I heard about the robbery at the home of the elderly aunty and it was truly disturbing. I felt deeply saddened and concerned after learning what she went through. No person, especially someone of her age, should ever have to experience such a terrifying situation inside their own home. It is sad that residents, especially the elderly are no longer safe, even in places where they should feel most secure… their homes. Our community is clearly not in a good state at all. There has been a noticeable decline in safety and it feels like things are getting worse with each passing day. Criminals are becoming more ruthless and are committing terrible acts, simply for financial gain. It is painful to see how morality has deteriorated to such an extent that criminals no longer care about the harm they cause to others. Residents are living in constant fear and the sense of peace that once existed in Laudium is slowly disappearing. Families are worried, elderly people are vulnerable and everyone is feeling the impact of rising criminal activity. It is not just about one incident of crime, but a pattern that continues to grow, leaving the community anxious and uncertain about what might happen next. There is also growing concern about outsiders entering the area and being involved in unlawful activities. This has added to the frustration and fear among residents, as many feel that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to control. Urgent action is needed by the police, the CPF and the politicians to address the ongoing crime, before it spirals out of control, even further.”
Mocha Street resident, Jasmine Moola, told the Laudium Sun, “We need stronger measures, better cooperation and more awareness to combat this terrible issue of crime. If we fail to act now, we risk losing the sense of a caring community that once defined our area. It is time for all residents to stand together and work towards reclaiming our safety from those who seek to harm it, as the politicians and police are also failing us.”