Following the release of crime stats by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele for the period April-June 2021 (Financial year period 2021/2022) last week, residents have once more dismissed the stats saying that crime is much higher than what is reflected, especially in the Laudium/Erasmia area.
Prenlal Solal Pursath (80), of Cuprene Street, said, “I doubt these crime stats are a true reflection of the crime in Laudium. The crime here is very severe. As a pensioner, it is very hard to live here now, and worse, with the open veld and trees opposite our house. Then there is the feeding scheme next to us. These thieves take advantage of people’s good hearts. The feeding scheme has roughly 250 people per day, which is beyond even lockdown rules, and these guys come here and scout our homes.”
Claude Lazarus, of Cuprene Street, said, “The problem is that most of the crime that takes place is not reported. But the crime here is definitely very high. I don’t think the crime stats are accurate. We have these guys who come here, either looking for food or jobs. They sit around here from morning until late, and you cannot tell which one is genuinely looking for help or which one is a criminal. These guys have even built shacks at the back of the reservoir, and as soon as they rob people, they quickly run to the bush. Something must be done about this. A few weeks ago, they tried to hijack my friend here, at around 8:00 at night. It is becoming very hard to live on this side.”
Hussain Mohamed, the owner of Nav Jivan supermarket on Emerald Street, said, “The police have failed me so many times, as I always get robbed here. So the crime statistics do not seem to help. I’m no longer even reporting the crimes, because the police don’t arrest the criminals and don’t bring our stock back. The crime here is very high and very dangerous.”
Laudium – April to June 2021 (Financial year 2021/2022) Erasmia – April to June 2021 (Financial year 2021/2022
