The Laudium community has been beset by an increase in petty crime, especially during lockdown hours. While the rest of the community respects the rule of law and obeys curfew times, some petty criminals are running rampant on local properties during the night, with residential properties being targeted for valuables both indoors and outdoors.
In a seemingly new wave of criminal activity, residents are noticing their perimeter lighting, especially LED lighting being targeted. LED lights are a green alternative to standard incandescent lights as they use up to 75% less energy, emit comparable wattage and last much longer. According to residents, the value of these lights on the streets has more to do with the recent upsurge in uses of alternative sources of energy during the incessant bouts of load-shedding, than their actual cost.
In a recent incident, Pearl Street resident, Parul Bhana was left in the dark after having her perimeter wall LED light stolen. Being vigilant about safety and security, Parul observed that her house was being stealthily watched by two suspected nyaope addicts just before the theft. Parul recounted to the Laudium Sun, “It was around 3am last Wednesday [March 17] that my LED floodlight was stolen. I saw two nyaope guys walking up and down this street on Tuesday night [March 16] and noticed them on the street again at 3am after hearing some noises outside my house. I went back to sleep because I didn’t think anything of it. It didn’t strike me that they probably saw the light fitting earlier, then planned to come back in the early hours of the morning to steal it. When I woke up at around 7am, I went outside and noticed my light fitting missing. I immediately put two and two together. It must have been those nyaope guys. The LED light was quite high on the wall, so one of them probably lifted the other to give him a boost to reach the light fitting. We now feel very unsafe knowing that these nyaope addicts are prowling the streets at night, watching our houses, and checking out what they can steal. This has to come to an end soon. I see no point in reporting the matter to the police because nothing will happen about it”
A neighbouring resident Roshan Davids said, “Nyaope addicts seem intent on cashing in on the recent upsurge in alternative energy lighting such as LED lamps that the South African population are investing in, to ensure sufficient lighting amid safety concerns during the recent national scourge of load-shedding. These addicts are thriving during a climate of fear and uncertainty due to the national power grid blackouts. Laudium residents are battling this issue and the continuous trend of petty thefts continues to demoralise a much-beleaguered community.
The brazen behaviour of these petty criminals during lockdown hours makes us wonder how they are able to move with ease during curfew, when any movement should be easily detected and part of the policing practices locally.”
SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Simon Chokoe said, “We urge residents to report crimes, even minor ones to the Laudium Police Station so that we can investigate further and continue our fight to curb crime in Laudium and make this a safe environment for everyone”.
Pearl Street resident Parul Bhana said she feels very unsafe knowing that nyaopes are prowling the streets at night, checking out our houses.
The Pearl Street, Laudium home, from where an LED light was stolen, whilst the residents were asleep
The spot (circled) where the light fitting was stolen from this Pearl Street home, allegedly by nyaope addicts
