Attacks on businesses by criminals continue to be a real headache for business owners in the Laudium CBD, who are highly frustrated as it seems that whatever extra safety precautions they take in order to secure their premises from greedy thieves, seemingly do not help as the thieves still manage to steal, depending on the amount time they have on their hands.
Business owners are also puzzled as to how thieves can so easily move around during curfew times, without interception by the police. Their concerns regarding nyaopes breaking into businesses during late nights is yet to be addressed by the police, who seemingly have no clue as to how to address this growing problem.
Last Monday, early morning at around 3am, thieves, seemingly nyaopes, tried to gain entry into two businesses on 13th Ave, near the temple. Although, the businesses were heavily secured, with solid steel gates and double layers of devil forks, and security wire, the thieves still managed to steal a few items, but were seemingly disturbed. Krunal Patel, manager of Mona Internet Café & Stationery, told the Laudium Sun, “When I came to my shop at around 8am on Monday morning, I was surprised to find that my shop’s locks were cut and the front door was open. My anxiety ran very high, but as I came closer, I saw that the burglar gates were still intact. I was very relieved. It appeared that the thieves could not manage to break through the heavy gates. But, they managed to steal a few items that were near the gate, by putting their hands through the steel bars. They managed to steal a pile of books and pens and other small items. When I checked my CCTV footage, I saw that there were two guys, who were young and looked very much like these nyaope guys, who we see roaming the streets during the day, especially where customers park their cars in the CBD. I was shocked to see that the time they broke the locks was around 3am in the morning. What I cannot understand is, how are these nyaopes allowed to move around during curfew time without being stopped by the police? But when we are seen driving on the streets even just 5 minutes after 10pm, then the police want to give us a fine if we don’t give them ‘coldrink money’. This is very disappointing, as our shops are on the main street, so police would easily see these thieves if the police do their patrols. But it seems that police are either also observing the curfew or, these guys know that police are too lazy to catch them. I hope the police will improve and try to catch these thieves.”
Salman Patel, owner of the shop next to Krunal, Ajmer Fruit and Veg, on 13th Ave, said, “These thieves also tried to steal from my shop. They cut the burglar gate and got into the yard, but then fortunately they did not know which gate was leading into my shop. They cut the wrong gate, so my shop was saved. However, it is so inconvenient as I have to spend money to fix both gates. We appeal to the police to be proactive, to avoid such wastage of money from our businesses, so that we won’t be afraid to open a business in Laudium. Right now, we are really scared to leave stock in our shops, as the crime in Laudium is like a lucky packet. You never know what will be left in your shop when you open up in the morning!”
Sergeant Simon Chokoe, of the Laudium SAPS said, “A case of malicious damage to property and burglary has been opened and the police are following leads. I urge the community to contact the police should they have any information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits. Working together we can stop the crime in our area.”
