Questions are being asked by residents as to what police officials are doing, when going on patrol duties, seeing that crime continues unabated and very few if any of the suspects, are caught in the act.
Residents are asking that police management implement monitoring systems on each patrolling vehicle so that the whereabouts can be closely monitored. Many residents have stated that they hardly see a police vehicle patrolling the streets and doubt very much if police are performing their tasks as expected by police management. In one of the latest incidents of crime, a red Citi Golf was stolen outside a Primrose Street home, in broad daylight and not far from the Police Station, without anybody noticing the car being stolen. Milandre Hartzenburg, the owner of the Golf, told the Laudium Sun, “I was at home, when the theft occurred. I live in an outbuilding on Primrose Street, so I can’t see the street from my room. Last Friday (March 5), I went out early in the morning and I came back at around 9:00am. I parked my car outside the yard as I was planning to go out again a little later. At around midday, whilst inside my room, I heard my landlord screaming. The next moment he was at my door and asked me if I had allowed someone to take my Golf. I was shocked as I did not give anyone my car. When I went outside, I saw that my Golf was gone. I remembered that my car did not have much petrol, so I asked my landlord to quickly take me to the Engen garage. We were fortunate that one of the petrol attendants remembered seeing my car with at least three black guys inside the car. They showed us the CCTV footage, where two of the guys from my car even climbed off. Unfortunately, we could not make them out, as they had masks on. It is very hurtful that these greedy thieves could just come and steal my car and more so during broad daylight. It is very rare that someone can come to White Blocks and steal a car. Something is very strange. I can’t also understand how come the police, who are supposed to be patrolling the streets, did not stop the car, as there were clearly suspicious people inside it. I hope the police investigate this matter properly as they now have the CCTV footage to work with. Anyone who can assist with identifying the suspects or my car (registration ZHB 703 GP), please inform the police. If one’s car is stolen, it is very painful and stressful. Now I have to look for other means to go to work or even to go shopping.”
Sergeant Simon Chokoe, of the Laudium SAPS, said, “A case of vehicle theft has been opened and police are investigating. No arrests have been made yet. The community is urged to come forward with information that may assist in catching the culprits. Working together we can end crime in our community. Police in Laudium are alarmed with recent incidents of car theft and hijacking. Our patrolling teams have been increased and are going to each and every street, doing stop and searches.”