While crime continues to be of great concern for residents in the Laudium area, thieves continue to freely prowl the streets of Laudium, even in broad daylight and seemingly without any fear of being caught by the police.
Police on the other hand, are seemingly turning a blind eye concerning patrolling the streets of Laudium and doing random ‘search’ operations, even turning a deaf ear to the plight of residents, who have been constantly crying out for more efficient service, regarding both pro-active and re- active policing.
In one of the latest incidents of crime committed in broad daylight, thieves, believed to be nyaopes, entered the property of a Taj Street family, whilst the owners were away at work. The thieves are believed to have entered the home of the Mahamed Ali family, just before 4pm, last Thursday, causing panic and disturbance to the quiet afternoon of a vigilant neighbour.
Neighbour, Usha Thacker told the Laudium Sun that she was taking a break after starting preparations of supper, for her husband and daughter, who were still at work. Usha had placed a pot of food on the stove to be cooked and then went to sit at the front balcony of her home, when she spotted two suspicious looking males walking past her home. However, she than had to go and check on the pot and after about 15 minutes, at around 4pm, she went back to sit on her balcony. Just then, to her shock, she spotted one of the same guys, who had passed earlier, jumping out of her neighbour’s gate with copper pipes and other items in his hand. Usha added, “I started screaming at him, asking what was he doing in my neighbour’s yard and what were those things in his hands, but he quickly ran down Taj Street. He was wearing a black jean and a blue skipper with a bag on his back, which I assume was full of things he had stolen. Then, all of a sudden, another guy came out of the yard, who was also one of the same guys who I had spotted earlier. He came running out and quickly jumped over the gate as well and ran down the street. I think he panicked when he heard my screams, as he did not have anything in his hand. I immediately called the police and some other people living nearby also came out after hearing my screams. Because my neighbour’s gates were locked, we could not check what was going on at the back. So we had to wait until they arrived. Later when the owners came back, it was discovered that these greedy thieves had stripped the copper water pipes and taps from the back of the yard and I am not sure what else they planned to steal, if I had not spotted them. Crime is ridiculously high in Laudium and the police will have to take action against these people walking in the streets, who do not live or work in the area. I feel very scared now, to even sit on my own balcony, as I could also be attacked. We need more police patrols in our area.”
Ahmed Mukkadam (67) a nearby neighbour, also from Taj Street, told the Laudium Sun, “Crime around the Taj Street area is getting completely out of hand. We are not safe anymore in this area and also in other parts of Laudium. The police need to get their act together”.
Speaking to the Laudium Sun, Sadia Mahamed Ali whose family home was targeted by the two thieves said thieves had entered her yard and stolen copper pipes, but she and her parents were not home at the time.
Sgt Simon Chokoe of the Laudium Police said that police will increase patrols in the area.
