The continuous concerns of Laudium residents and businesses, regarding the large number of unemployed people flocking into Laudium, seem to be disregarded by authorities including the police, as they are making no concerted effort to stop this influx.
Each day, more and more of these unemployed people, many of whom who have turned to crime and drugs, are seen on street corners and at shops demanding money, with some even calling on residents’ homes, under the pretext of looking for food and money, but in fact are looking out for opportunities to steal. More commonly known as nyaopes, many of these unemployed people, are often identified by victims of crime, as the perpetrators behind many of the petty crimes that take place in Laudium. However, what is more worrying of late, is that many of these nyaopes have been implicated in more serious crimes, such as house break-ins and robbing residents by assaulting them and even threatening to shoot them.
This follows a recent attack on an Indian national, who was beaten up and even stabbed by two nyaopes, last Friday, (Nov 4) whilst walking up 6th Ave, on his way to the CBD, to get transport to go to work. After receiving information of the attack, the Laudium Sun managed to trace the victim, who was too terrified to speak to us and pleaded with us not to publish his photo or name. He, however, confirmed the attack by two nyaopes, who beat him up and stabbed him, near Dynamic Car Wash at the PMT building, on 6th Avenue, as he did not want to hand over his cellphone. The nyaopes then stole his money and cellphone. The petrified victim added that he did not report the attack to the Laudium Police, saying that it was a waste of time, as they would do nothing about it and that he was afraid that his attackers would then take revenge on him.
On further investigation, the Laudium Sun spoke to resident, Suliman Mohamed, who owns a cellphone shop, also at the PMT building on 6th Ave who said that he became aware of the attack through the security guard at the building, who was on duty at around 7am on Friday morning. “When I came to work in the morning, the guard told me that an ‘Indian’ guy was robbed and stabbed by two nyaope guys while he was followed from Emerald Street, into 6th Ave. He also said that matter to the police. This is really a pity as these nyaopes will then just continue with this violent crime and someday, someone could be killed. I then immediately checked our CCTV footage and was shocked to see these two guys beating up this one guy. Crime is getting out of hand in Laudium and it seems that these nyaopes are now getting more dangerous.”
The security guard, Ruben Malamela told the Laudium Sun, “I was on duty on Friday, when at around 7am, I heard screaming coming
from the bottom, near Emerald Street side. I went onto the street to check and saw this Indian guy being chased by two guys, running
up 6th Ave. As the guy came nearer towards the car wash, where I was, he fell down and these two guys, who I recognised as nyaopes, started beating him up and they even stabbed him in the back. They then took his cellphone and money from his pocket. I ran towards them to stop them, but when they saw me approaching, they ran away. The ‘Indian’ guy was in total shock. The guy than sat on the boundary wall. I told him that I was calling the police and ambulance, as he was bleeding. But he told me that he will get his friend to take him to hospital and that he would walk back home, which he said was nearby. I even offered to call his friend from my cellphone, but he said no. These nyaopes are becoming a big problem in the area. The police must do something about them.”
The Laudium Sun also spoke to another shop owner, Farad Ahmed of Brazos, also at the PMT building, who said, “It is not nice, what these nyaope guys are doing. What if the guy was stabbed in his heart and died? All for what? Just for a cellphone and some money. Something needs to be done to stop these criminals. Our police must put a stop to this.” Sergeant Simon Chokoe of the Laudium Police, said he was not aware of the robbery, as no case had been opened.
