Crime in Laudium has certainly gone out of hand, with the local police or the CPF not even bothering to report to the community, as to how police intend curbing the problem, (without releasing details for obvious reasons). Is it not time that the community is told, what impact the CPF is making in assisting the local police to carry out their duties, in proactive and reactive policing in the area. Has the CPF requested the MEC or Minister of Police for more patrol cars and police officials? Has the CPF addressed the concerns of the community concerning lack of police patrols and response time in many instances? Has the CPF engaged with the Welfare Department concerning the high number of nyaopes roaming our streets and who are harassing residents? How many of the patrol cars are awaiting repairs and what action has the CPF taken to tackle these problems? How is the CPF engaging police management concerning lazy or unprofessional cops stationed in Laudium? Etc, etc.
The repeated concerns of residents, regarding the absurd crime in Laudium, are once again brought to the fore, following the attack on a local car showroom, where criminals went on a wholesale looting spree, helping themselves to not just one car, but four cars in one go. Ashraf Akoonjee, a salesman at Smillow Cars, owned by Rashaad Carrim, situated on the corner of 2nd and 3rd Avenue and the R55, (opposite A&E Transport), described the shocking events that took place last Saturday, (July 31), just before 1pm. Ashraf told the Laudium Sun, “I, together with two other staff members, were sitting in the office, at around 12:40 on Saturday afternoon. A black guy came in and greeted us and said he was looking to buy a car. As per norm, we showed him the cars we had on our floor. After about two or three minutes, he showed interest in buying one of the cars and after making a call, said to us that his cousin was on the way to make a deposit. We went back to the office and offered the supposed buyer tea, but he said he would rather wait in the yard for his cousin. Suddenly, another four black guys barged in with guns. They tied the three of us with cable ties and warned us to remain in the office, otherwise they would shoot us. They even hit me on my neck and upper back. Then, they took a bunch of car keys that were in the office and four batteries and a car jumper cable. They stole four cars; a blue Mercedes E200, a greenish Audi A3, a Silver Polo classic 1.6 and a navy blue BMW. The supposed customer went with them. I am not sure how they came, but it seems that they were dropped off. After they left, one of us managed to cut the cable ties with a knife and then cut the others loose. We then immediately notified the police and posted the details of the cars that were stolen on social media, including on the Laudium Sun platform. At first we thought they took five cars, but we then realised where the fifth car was.”
Sergeant Simon Chokoe, of the Laudium SAPS, said, “Police in Laudium are investigating a case of business robbery that happened at R55 Road and 2nd Avenue, at a motor vehicle garage, Smillow Cars in Laudium. It is alleged that the victim was in the office when an unknown African man walked into the yard and enquired about one of the vehicles’ price. It is further alleged that while the victim was still busy with the man, suddenly four armed men entered the office, pointed the other two salesmen with firearms, pushed all of them into the office and all were tied up with cable ties. The suspects took a bag of motor vehicle keys, went to the vehicles, chose the ones they were looking for and drove off with four vehicles. No shots were fired and no one has been arrested yet. Police are pleading to anyone with information which might lead to the arrest of the suspects, to contact the SAPS on 0860010111 or contact the local police station”.
