Mystery surrounds the discovery of the body of a female, in the bush alongside Cuprene Str, this past Monday (June 1), sending shockwaves throughout the community.
It is believed that the body, was that of a White female, in her mid 30’s. According to reports, the woman sustained two gunshots to her head, execution style. Neighbours in the area say that they heard between 3-5 shots at around 5:15am, about an hour and a half before sunrise and have no idea who the deceased female is as they had not seen her in the area before. Speculation is rife that the woman was shot in a car and her body thrown out into the bush alongside Cuprene Street, after which the car sped off.
Ronald Neube of Cuprene Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I heard the gunshots at around 5:15am. in the morning, and when I heard them, I immediately came out of my house to see what was happening outside. I was very scared so I didn’t go too far because it might have been dangerous. It was still a bit dark, so I couldn’t see anyone, but I believe the person who killed the White woman might have already left the scene by that time. After a few minutes, some residents started coming out of their houses and we gathered together to see what was going on. I then joined them as well, and that is when we discovered that there was a White woman lying in the bush area opposite the Langar Khana. When I saw the body, I assumed that she had been shot multiple times, as her body was covered in blood. It was a shocking and painful sight for all of us who were there. One of the nearby residents then informed the SAPS who, when they arrived, told us to stand back, away from the body. Slowly, more and more people began to gather near the scene to see what had happened and the whole area became very tense and emotional. We do not know the woman and have never seen her in the area before and if the perpetrator is from this area or from outside. There are many speculations going around, but according to me, both the victim and the culprit responsible for the shooting are definitely not from Laudium. This whole situation is also bad for the community, because incidents like this put Laudium on the map again, for being a dangerous place.”
Gashin Thumbran, also of Cuprene Street, told the Laudium Sun, “I heard about the shooting incident which resulted in the sad discovery of the body of a White woman. It is truly painful to see such negative things taking place in our area. This kind of crime taking place in our area is really bad for the entire community, as it sows further fear into the hearts of residents who are already living in fear because of the ongoing crime in the area. Laudium is fast becoming known as a playground where criminals and thieves feel free to operate and seem to do whatever they want without fear of consequences. This situation is deeply worrying because it shows that law and order is not being respected and that the police are not taken seriously by criminals. It breaks my heart to say this, because Laudium was once known as a peaceful and safe place within the broader South Africa, where people from different backgrounds could live together without fear. Today, however, things have changed and our area is no longer what it used to be. Many residents are now living in constant worry of falling victim to crime, unsure of who might be attacked next. It is extremely sad that this White woman lost her life in this tragic way. No one deserves to die in such a manner, regardless of whether they are White, Indian, Black or Coloured. Every human life is valuable and should be protected. I sincerely hope that the person or persons responsible for this crime are found as soon as possible and brought to justice, so that her family can get some kind of closure. At the same time, I believe that stronger measures need to be taken by the local police to ensure the safety of residents in Laudium. If nothing is done, these kinds of incidents may continue and the situation could become even worse. As a community, we need to stand together and demand better safety and security so that Laudium can once again become the safe and peaceful place it used to be.”
Shahid Alli another resident of Cuprene Street, told the Laudium Sun, ”The news of the early morning shooting has left many of us unsettled and deeply concerned about the direction our community is heading in. Incidents like these are not just isolated events; they create a ripple effect of fear and uncertainty among residents who simply want to live in peace. What is most troubling is the growing sense that crime is becoming more frequent and more brazen. People no longer feel comfortable even within their own surroundings, and that is a serious concern. A neighbourhood that once had a reputation for calm and unity is now being overshadowed by acts that threaten it’s stability and sense of safety. The loss of life in this incident is heart breaking. Regardless of who the victim was or where she came from, such violence is unacceptable and should never be tolerated. It is a reminder that human life is fragile and that these situations leave lasting scars not only on families but also on the wider community. There is also a strong need for accountability and swift action. Those responsible must face the full consequences of their actions so that justice is served. At the same time, authorities need to strengthen their presence and reassure residents that their safety is a priority. As members of this community, we cannot ignore what is happening around us. It is important for everyone to remain vigilant and supportive of one another during difficult times like these. Only through collective effort and stronger security measures can we begin to restore confidence and rebuild the sense of safety that Laudium once offered to all its residents.”
Tshwane District Police Spokesperson, Captain Johan van Dyk, said the Police were informed of a body lying in the veld on Monday, at about 7am, “Upon arrival at the scene, police found the body of an unknown White adult female. Preliminary observations revealed she had sustained two gunshot wounds to the head.” He added that although residents heard gun shots at around 5am, police were only notified about the shooting, 2 house later.