It is with deep frustration that I write this letter.
Over the past two weeks we have had our palisade fence broken four times;; each time I have had to weld it back together, only to have another pale removed.
The insurance company is very willing to have these problems sorted out every time.
The problem is that I am expected to pay R750 per incident. (Oh, did I forget to mention that my fence on the road side is cut open at the same time, requiring a further R750 excess?).
Who is going to cover this expense of R1 500 PER incident?
Our security company tells me that break-ins from the railway line side are a daily occurrence in Western Extension and Westdene, and yet the municipality, councillors, SAPS and Metrorail all do nothing.
In case this sounds like the minor rantings of a lunatic, let me inform the readers of some facts: there have been numerous attempted break-ins over the past years; garden furniture, hose pipes, a lawn mower and a portable braai are some of the minor goods we have had stolen; the more serious crimes include windows and burglar bars ripped out, our dogs being kicked and more expensive equipment being stolen, such as audio and camera equipment and clothing.
Then there is the time we were awakened by three of these pieces of excrement in our bedroom, shining torches in our eyes and brandishing guns.
Fortunately, I also had my gun under the pillow and, upon pulling it out, they fired three shots at us while running out of the house.
I know we are not the only people to have had to experience this kind of trauma and that fact only makes the whole situation laughable, especially when comments like “You are so lucky that you were not harmed” or “You are so lucky your dogs were not seriously injured” are made.
I’m sorry, but how is having your life threatened, your privacy invaded, your pets hurt, your possessions stolen and your property damaged considered LUCKY?
It is no secret that crimes of this nature have escalated drastically in the past 20 years.
My question to the following organisations, ANC Government, Ekurhuleni Municipality, Benoni Council, South African Police Services, Local DA Council and, above all, Metrorail (yes, it is after all from your railway line that these crimes take place), is: what are you doing to protect the very people who directly and indirectly pay your salaries?
I request – nay demand – that positive remedial action is taken and the above-mentioned organisations use this forum to explain what action they will take, when it will be taken and what follow-up strategy they intend putting in place to prevent these crimes in the future.
It would be really nice to have a list of the suspects arrested, together with photographs, so we can avoid/deal with these individuals as and when required. (Vigilantism? Hell yes… the above-mentioned organisations have not lifted a finger to address these problems up to now, so why not?)
All one has to do is drive around Benoni central and Western Extension to see numerous prostitutes, drug dealers and other shady-looking characters loitering. (A great pity that law was abolished).
The number of beggars and homeless people on our streets should give anyone with half a brain a clue as to where the crime problems lie.
But what do I know, I have to actually work for my money and am held accountable for the results of my labours. (A novel idea to be considered by the above-mentioned).
I eagerly await a response from each of the above-mentioned and, no, I will not be holding my breath.
Editor’s note: Clr Mary Goby of Ward 28 commented as follows: “I totally understand the frustration of this resident.
“Due to the high criminal problems we have had in the area I sent a petition to Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) at the beginning of the year, which was signed by residents on both sides of the railway line – Western Extension and Westdene – and we got huge support. It was hand-delivered to them (Prasa) in March.
There were letters and communications in the Benoni City Times and also for the Lakewest Residents, in their newsletter.
Since then we have seen a huge improvement, with the fences and the blocking off of the Victoria Bridge. They even closed off access to Avenue Station from Main Road.
This is not a local government issue, but a national government problem, as Prasa report directly to national, but, as the problem is here, with my residents and the ward next door, I took it upon myself to try to do
everything to help with the situation.
Prasa have asked for a capital budget to put up a palisade from Lanyon to Bunyan Street and, hopefully, in the next few months we will hear about that.
I will forward this letter to Prasa for their comment as well.
