While Laudium CPF office bearers are busy posing for meaningless photos with Cllr Naeem Patel in front of reservoirs or other places, the ongoing crime in the Laudium area continues to give residents sleepless nights.
Despite residents in various neighbourhoods of Laudium getting together and closing off streets with security gates, as they cannot depend on the CPF and the local police to protect them, crime still continues in the area. While the CPF is busy posing for photos, there is no word from them or the local police regarding weekly detailed crime stats. Thus residents have to rely on social media platforms and the Laudium Sun for some of the crime happenings taking place in the area, received from time to time. In one of the latest incidents of crime reported to the Laudium Sun recently by a concerned resident, a vehicle was stolen in the early hours of this past Friday (May 29) morning. The car, a grey Toyota Yaris (registration number HV37DHGP), was stolen from outside the home of Suliman Ravat in the gated 10th Avenue in Laudium, at around 6am.
Suliman told the Laudium Sun, “I had just returned home from the morning prayer at the Mosque and parked my Toyota Yaris in front of my house at around 6am, as I needed to go out not long thereafter, for some household chores. Everything seemed normal at that time. There was nothing unusual happening on the street, nor did I see anyone suspicious standing outside my house, while parking my car outside. However, when I returned outside again, about half an hour later, I was shocked to find that my car was missing. It was no longer parked where I had left it. As I stood outside where I had parked my car, I looked for my car in all directions, somehow hoping that I would spot it, but I could not see it. It was gone! That is when it hit me that my car had been stolen. Based on the timing, I believe my car was stolen immediately when I parked it and got inside my house. It is possible that the thieves who stole the car may have followed me without my knowledge. This theft has made me very concerned because there have been several cases of vehicle theft in the area and Toyota Yaris models seem to be targeted frequently. I sincerely hope that I will be able to recover my car and I hope that the SAPS will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. It is so disappointing and worrisome, because many of us work really hard to earn a living to be able to purchase our belongings, only for criminals to take them away in a moment. Even though our street is a gated area, criminals still managed to enter and carry out their illegal activities before escaping. I also feel that community safety measures need to be improved. The local CPF Patrol groups and the police should be more active and visible, as I rarely see any of them patrolling the streets. In the past, community volunteers played a strong role in looking after the neighbourhood, but today it seems they are less effective. Crime in Laudium is becoming increasingly serious and many residents no longer feel safe. Something urgent needs to be done to restore order and to protect law-abiding citizens in our area.”
that his car had been stolen from just in front
of his home.
Mohammed Diedericks, another resident of 10th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “I heard about the theft of the Toyota Yaris on our street, which is truly concerning for all of us living here. Situations like this creates fear among us residents, because it feels as though we are no longer safe in our own homes or even just outside our homes. What makes it even more worrying is the pattern of similar thefts that seem to be happening repeatedly in Laudium. It appears that certain vehicles, especially Toyota models, are being specifically targeted by criminals. Almost every week we hear from other residents living in Laudium about Toyotas being stolen and this creates the impression that these thieves are becoming more organised and more difficult to stop. I understand how painful it can be to lose something you have worked so hard for, especially in a time when the economic situation is already very difficult. With high inflation and rising living costs in South Africa, it is not easy for people to rebuild what they have lost. This car theft is a reminder that stronger efforts are needed to improve safety in our community and to protect residents from ongoing criminal activities that are affecting everyday life in Laudium.”
seems that the thieves are becoming more
organized and more difficult to stop.
Ayesha Ismail, also of 10th Avenue, told the Laudium Sun, “The level of crime in Laudium is now extremely high and it feels like it is becoming harder to bring the situation under control. Residents are left frustrated and anxious because incidents of crime continue to take place, without much visible improvement in safety measures, from the police or the CPF. It is very unfortunate as many families work extremely hard to afford to buy their vehicles and other belongings. When thefts like this happen, it is not just the loss of a car, but also a major emotional and financial setback for the owner. I sincerely hope that the victim will recover his car that was stolen, without it being stripped or damaged.”