Despite the flooding of security gates closing off streets in many parts of Laudium and Erasmia, to deter the spiraling crime in the area, criminals are still finding gaps to carry out their thieving acts in these areas. The installation of the security gates by residents was done out of desperation, to curb crime, as police are doing very little if anything, to protect residents and their properties.
This follows yet another house break-in, in Erasmia, during which criminals ransacked a home on Senorita Street, stealing many valuables. The break-in which was discovered by family members on their return after going out for about 5 hours to a nearby shopping mall this past Saturday (Nov 9) has left the Carrim family in shock. The family still cannot understand how it was possible that no one, not even the private security vehicles supposedly patrolling the area, saw the thieves entering or leaving their premises more so as the break-in took place during broad daylight and on a Saturday when the streets in the area are busier. Azam Carrim detailed further to the Laudium Sun, “My whole family went on Saturday morning at about 9 am to the Centurion Mall, to do some shopping. However, when we came back at around 2pm, we were surprised to find the front security gate and the front door broken and left open. When I went inside our house I was shocked to find that the house was completely ransacked. The items in our cupboards were all thrown out onto the floor and it was clear that the thieves were looking for valuables. All our rooms were ransacked and our place was turned upside down by these thieves. We are still trying to figure out what exactly was stolen but we know thus far that my HP laptop, jewellery and clothing items are missing. These criminals broke into our house during the day and stole our stuff during the day. They broke our security door during the day. This is what is so frustrating. We asked our neighbours if they noticed anything strange but they said they did not. Even the private security patrollers said they did not notice anyone strange in the area. There must have been at least 2-3 criminals involved, judging by the mess they made and the items stolen. It looks like these criminals jumped the gate and went inside our yard because our gate is locked every time when we go out. We don’t even keep it open even if there is someone inside our house.” Azam added, “We do have a domestic worker assisting us, but she was off on Saturday. It seems that the criminals knew that there was no one at home at the time. I am not sure if they were watching our home or what. The problem of crime in the Erasmia area does not seem to be going away, as this is not the first time our home has been burgled whereby a number of items were stolen. I urge the Erasmia police and the private security patrollers to increase visibility in our area because criminals have turned our area into their playground. Now I am planning to get a gun to protect my family and I am also planning to have CCTV cameras installed at our house, so that these criminals won’t have a chance if they come next time as they would be identified and hopefully caught by the police.”
Rehana Carrim, mother to Azam, said, “This break-in has left the whole family traumatized and scared, as we fear that these criminals may strike again, more so when we are at home.”
Neighbour, Essop Ali (77) also from Senorita Street said, “I did not even know about the break-in. Crime in our area is caused by nyaope addicts and the growing informal settlements adjacent to our area. In the past they also stole from my home. There were many items that the thieves stole at the time, adding up to a value of over R15000.”
