Whilst restriction levels due to Covid-19 have been moved to Level 1 recently, which has seen restaurants and entertainment centers buzzing, there are many residents living in the Laudium/Erasmia area who are still skeptical about going out, not only because of Covid, but also for fear of being attacked by criminals or for fear of their homes being burgled by nyaopes watching their homes, whilst the residents are away.
Many residents have indicated to the Laudium Sun, that the norm for them has become to go out only once a week for their grocery shopping, but during the day and to quickly get back home. However, based on recent attacks on homes in the area, it is clear that the daring thieves do not care when and at what time they pounce and thus are not afraid to attack local homes in broad daylight or at night or even during curfew hours. This hard lesson was learned by a resident of Taj Street, whose new month started on a bad note, as his home was invaded by a gang of armed thugs in broad daylight at around 10am last Friday morning (October 1), whilst the family was inside the house. Resident Isham Ismail, told the Laudium Sun, “My family and I were inside the house, when all of a sudden these four huge black guys rushed into our house with guns pointed at us. We were all terrified and shocked, because they just started screaming that they would shoot us and demanded money and wanted to know where the safe was. Whilst one of them watched over us, the others went through the house, searching our cupboards and ransacking the place. I tried explaining to them that we did not have a safe, but only a small money box which I showed them. They refused to listen and became violent. We all just kept on praying, as these guys looked very desperate and scary. We had to keep our cool as we knew that they were capable of shooting or even killing us, without batting an eyelid. I do not normally keep money at home, but I think it was fortunate that there was some money in the safe box as I was supposed to pay someone the next day, so the thugs were a bit calm after opening it. They stole many of our personal valuables, including my laptop and then made a quick getaway in two vehicles. It all happened so fast. We could see that these guys were professionals. Although our outside gate and door were locked at the time, the thugs managed to force these open. They cut the locks of the gate and broke the door lock and came straight to our rooms. I’m not sure if we were specifically targeted or if it was a random crime, or whether it was an inside job. The crime situation is becoming worse by the day in Laudium. Whenever we read about it in the Laudium Sun, we don’t think too much about it. But, it is only when one becomes a victim of such crime that one realizes the severity of it. I am just glad that none of us were physically harmed, but the emotional scars will remain with us forever. We are now scared to live in our own homes, even in broad daylight and we are also scared to go out for fear of being attacked outside. What kind of a life is this?”
Sergeant Simon Chokoe, of the Laudium SAPS, said, “Police in Laudium are investigating a case of house robbery which happened at Taj street on the morning of 2021-10-01 in Laudium. It is alleged that the victims were at their residential address on Taj Street, when four African males armed with firearms entered the house, pointed the victims with firearms and ordered the victims not to scream. It is further alleged that the suspects demanded the safe and the keys. The suspects searched the house and an undisclosed amount of money was taken. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported. No arrests have been made yet. All suspects fled the scene with an Audi A4, red in colour and an Amarok bakkie single cab, white in colour. Both vehicle’s registration numbers unknown. 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 Laudium Police Station. Police are further urging the community to report any suspicious motor vehicle or person in the area, to the police without any fear. Together we can create a safer community.”
