Laudium remains a hotspot for all kinds of crime, from petty theft to hijacking to murder, which is of much concern to residents who live in fear, day and night. Despite the increasing number of security companies patrolling the area and police claiming to have beefed up patrols, the crime continues…
In a recent incident of hijacking, a clearly traumatised Kevin Bethel, resident of Mustard Street, told the Laudium Sun of his ordeal, “On the evening of last Saturday, at around 19h30, I went to drop my wife off in my white GTI Polo, at the temple on the corner of 13th Ave and Tangerine Street. Then, I went to fill petrol at the Engen Garage on Jewel Str. Then as I was coming back, I drove from 1st Avenue to Emerald Street, as I approached 6th Avenue, a black BMW, which was following me, all of a sudden overtook me and cut me off, causing me to bump into it. There were three guys in that BMW. One guy jumped off the car and came to me, pointing a large gun at me while another guy came from the back. They were wearing balaclavas. The one said to the other in Sepedi, ‘Mothuntse’ (shoot him). I just raised my hands, and the one came closer and opened my driver’s door and demanded that I climb out. As I came out, there was a car that was coming from 6th Avenue and they fired a shot toward it. It was very traumatising. They drove off with my car with my phone inside it. I stood up and looked for help in the nearby houses. I went to a couple of houses, but they were of no help at all, until I reached a Pakistani’s house. He helped me and called some people. Then the guy that they shot at came back, and wanted to help but the hijackers were gone already. He called an Uncle Imran Ahmed, (CPF), who came and was very helpful. Imran contacted the tracker guys, as my car had a tracker. Within 15 minutes, they found it in Lotus Gardens, Phase 5. Uncle Imran was very helpful compared to the police. When the police came, they said, “You can open a case if you like”, as if they were giving an option rather than helping me. After that, we had to go and fetch my car at Lotus Gardens. On our way there, the police stopped and searched other cars while we were waiting in Atteridgeville. They didn’t’ consider that I was traumatised and anxious, but they continued talking to other drivers for over 15 minutes. Then we got to Lotus Gardens. I found my car damaged. I think they wanted to get the tracker, my passenger door was also damaged, and my car keys were not there. When we came back to Laudium, the police said they opened a case but I can’t give a statement, I must come back the next day. When I returned, they said my docket was not there, it is with another officer. The Laudium Police were not professional at all. I was already traumatised by the hijacking incident and now I had to go through the police incompetence. I even went to the doctor the following Monday and I’m still taking medicine. I wish no one can has to go through what I went through.”
Sergeant Simon Chokoe, of Laudium Police, said, “The case of car hijacking, property damage and theft were opened, the investigation is under way. No arrests have been made yet.” Concerning the allegations against the police, Chokoe said he was not aware of the incident and thus could not comment. “Anyone who has a complaint against the Laudium police can contact me or the Station Commander.”
* While Pretoria tops the province for vehicle thefts, it follows closely behind Johannesburg when it comes to hijacking.
Statistics from Tracker reveal that most hijackings occur from Wednesday to Friday, between 4pm to 8pm and are usually targeted at loaded vehicles. However domestic-use vehicles are also hijacked. Gauteng remains a hotbed of one of the most violent provinces. When drivers escape hijackings with their lives, it is indeed miraculous.

Mustard Str, Laudium resident, Kevin Bethel, said he is going through trauma because of the hijacking incident.

The house of Kevin Bethel, on Mustard Street, Laudium.

Cnr of Emerald Str and 6th Avenue, Laudium, where Kevin Bethel was held at gun point and hijacked.