Despite residents of Laudium living in fear each day, due to the ongoing high crime in the area, the local CPF headed by Zahid-ul Zaman, who is also the chairperson of the South African Pakistani Association, seems to be sleeping in carrying out the mandate of the CPF, which includes to assist in the curbing of crime in the area.
While residents continue to be robbed and beaten up by armed thugs, the CPF head has failed to promote police accountability, advise on local policing priorities, and ensure that crime prevention initiatives are jointly driven by the CPF (as representatives of the community) and the local police. It is evident that the Laudium CPF is influenced by a close grouping, headed by Cllr Patel and certain ANC members, who are also high profile Pakistani businessmen, with politics high on their agenda. This follows yet another incident of hijacking in Laudium. However this time, an elderly resident was not only taken hostage by three armed thugs, but was beaten-up, tied and thrown into a ditch by armed thugs who seemingly wanted him to meet his death. However fate was on his side and the man, Muhammed Feerose Latib, survived his ordeal and managed to tell his story despite being badly beaten and shaken up. This follows the thugs accosting Feerose, soon after he stopped at a tuck shop, known as ‘Agra East Tuck Shop,’ at the corner of Agra Str East and 33rd Ave in Laudium, to buy some items. Feerose was attacked at around 8:30pm, this past Monday night (June 15), as he was getting back into his car, when the thugs violently pulled him out from the driver side of his silver Polo (Reg: LZ68XY GP) and then bundled him into the back seat of his car, between two of the thugs who were seated at the back, while the other thug drove the Polo away into the nearby Itireleng informal settlement.
About two hours later, shortly before 11pm, a resident, Randall Fellas of Grey Str, Laudium, who was with a friend near the entrance of Itireleng, spotted Feerose, barefoot and running out of the informal settlement. Feerose was found in a state of shock and hurt after being badly assaulted by the thugs who beat him severely, kicking and punching him, before tying him with shoelaces and throwing him into a dark ditch on the outskirts of Itireleng, which is at Laudium’s doorstep. The pair then assisted him and took him to the Laudium Police Station. His Polo vehicle has still not been recovered.
Mobeen Latib, the son of Feerose, who lives in the family home with his father on Bengal Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I am deeply shocked by what happened to my father on Monday night. As a family, we are still terrified and emotionally shaken by this incident. It is truly heart-breaking and disturbing to see how crime has escalated to such a level in our area. We are now genuinely afraid to even step outside our home. My father is currently in a state of trauma following the incident, as he was severely assaulted by the armed thugs. The thugs beat him brutally, kicking and punching him repeatedly. He was found in a state of shock, injured and helpless after the attack. They even tied him up using shoelaces before throwing him into a ditch, on the outskirts of the Itireleng informal settlement. On that evening, my father had simply gone to buy some groceries from a nearby tuck shop at the corner of Agra East and 33rd Avenue in Laudium. While returning from the shop and when he was about to get into his car, the thugs approached him, forced him into his own vehicle and kidnapped him. It is extremely painful to even think about how such a thing could happen, especially to an elderly man. How can anyone have the heart to beat and treat an old man in such a cruel manner? This incident has left our entire family living in fear. It feels like we are living in dark times here in Laudium, where there is little to no sense of safety or protection. Criminals are targeting innocent civilians at any time and in any place. It has reached a point where even stepping a short distance away from our home makes us feel unsafe, as if we constantly need to look over our shoulders. My father is still recovering from his injuries and we are doing everything we can to support him through this difficult time. The emotional and physical impact of this incident has been severe and it will take time for him to heal from such a horrific experience. Furthermore, the vehicle that my father was driving at the time of the incident is still missing and no arrests have been made so far. We are deeply concerned about this and hope that law enforcement authorities will intensify their efforts to locate the vehicle and bring the perpetrators to justice. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Councillor Prajay for his dedicated efforts and involvement in the search operation. His support during this difficult time has been greatly appreciated by our family.”
Randall Fellas, a resident of Grey Street, Laudium, who has been regarded as a hero by many within the community, told the Laudium Sun, “I was with one of my friends, and we were walking out of the Itireleng informal settlement at around 10:50pm. As we were passing along the road near the entrance on the outskirts of Itireleng, I noticed a man emerging from the bush. At first, I was shocked and confused because the street lights in that area were not working and it was very dark. For a moment, I was even scared, thinking it might be a ghost. However, as I looked more closely, I realised it was an elderly man. He was badly injured, barefoot and his clothes were torn. He appeared to be in severe distress and was calling out for help. I immediately felt concerned for his safety and knew that we had to assist him without any delay. With the help of my friend, we approached him carefully and supported him, as he was clearly weak and traumatised. We then quickly took him to the Laudium Police Station so that he could receive immediate assistance. Once we arrived, the police took over the situation and began handling the matter, including contacting his family and attending to the necessary procedures. Later, I came to know that the man, Uncle Feerose, was kidnapped earlier that evening and that his vehicle was still missing. It was deeply upsetting to hear what he had gone through, especially considering his age. It is truly disturbing that criminals could treat an elderly person in such a violent and inhumane manner. This incident highlights how serious the crime situation has become in our area. Our Laudium community is in danger and we cannot ignore what is happening around us. I am grateful that I was in a position to help this man when he needed it most, but it also shows how vulnerable people have become. As a community, we must stand together and not allow criminals to take control of our streets. Regardless of our religion, culture, or background, we must unite and fight against crime. We love Laudium and we must work together to protect it. I sincerely hope that Uncle Feerose recovers from this traumatic experience and finds peace again. It will not be easy, but with the support of his family and the community, I believe he can heal. I also hope that his vehicle is recovered soon and that those responsible for this crime are brought to justice.”
Towhid Aslam, the owner of the ‘Agra East Tuck Shop’ situated at the corner of 33rd Avenue and Agra East in Laudium, told the Laudium Sun, “I was inside the shop and we were about to close for the night. At that time, there were only two customers remaining, one of them being Uncle Feerose. Everything seemed normal until Feerose finished his purchases and stepped outside to return home. As he approached his car and was about to get into it, three armed individuals suddenly approached him. They were carrying firearms and acted very aggressively. One of the thugs immediately took control of the vehicle and got into the driver’s seat, while the other two forced Feerose into the back seat of the car and sat on either side of him. I was shocked and immediately shouted for help, but it all happened very quickly. There was nothing much I could do as the thugs were extremely dangerous. I saw them strike Feerose on the head and force him to sit quietly in the back seat. At one point, one of the suspects even pointed a firearm at me from a distance and warned me to remain silent. Fearing for my safety, I quickly shut the shop shutter to prevent them from entering the premises. The entire incident was terrifying to witness. I do recall seeing these individuals before, as they are known to come from the Itireleng area and have occasionally been to my shop. They are very dangerous people. This incident has left me deeply concerned about the safety of our community. I hope that Feerose recovers from this ordeal and that his vehicle is found. It is important that those responsible are brought to justice so that such incidents do not continue to happen in our area.”
Cllr Prajay Ramjee of PAJ Community Patrollers, who was part of the search team together with the SAPS and members from the community, including those from the Concerned Community Forum (CCF) searching for Feerose, was with him at the Police station as well, after he was found and said that he would be intensifying his campaign to have cameras installed in all hotspots & main entrances in the area.
When CCTV cameras were installed near the entrance of Itireleng in April 2025, ANC Cllr Patel took several photos of himself standing in front of the cameras together with a CPF member. Patel also praised Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi (known to be more a person of words than action) for the installation of the cameras (despite missing several deadlines) but not committing as to who would be monitoring the cameras. Nevertheless 6 months later, in November the cameras together with the solar panels were stolen. Patel and Panyaza have since been silent as to when the cameras would be replaced.
