EDITOR – It is not only with sadness that I write this letter, but, as strange as it may seem, also with a profound sense of gratitude as well.
Sadness that we have allowed our country to degenerate to a level of anarchy, lawlessness and a total lack of respect of any law, rule and human life. Sadness that while decent hard-working folk go to work every day to put food on the table and keep the economy going, we become prey to ruthless criminals, who roam the streets in broad daylight, without fear of the law. They contribute nothing but misery and hardship on everyone else. Sadness that while our police officers risk their lives every day and do their best to protect the law-abiding majority, it does not seem to be enough, as crime in South Africa has reached unimaginable heights.
But within this despair that is being constantly felt by thousands of South Africans, I am also extremely grateful for the assistance I received on Tuesday, 8 November from two passing motorists in Bamboo Lane in Pinetown. I was hijacked at gunpoint and left stranded in the street while my vehicle was being stolen. These two brave people took me in their vehicle and risked their lives chasing the hijackers at high speed through Pinetown, until they disappeared into Clermont.
After spotting a police vehicle during the chase, I left my Samaritans and continued the chase in the police vehicle, unfortunately without success. In my haste, to continue the chase with the police, I did not have time to thank these two kind and brave individuals, let alone get their names. Words are such feeble tools when one tries to express one’s gratitude and appreciation for such an extraordinary act from these two seemingly ordinary people. I am also grateful to W/O Mbata who drove me around Clermont for an hour searching for my vehicle.
I pray that this unselfish deed by three these people wakes the rest of us up, particularly our political leaders to realise that the people of this country have simply had enough of their inefficiency or lack of will to make our country safe. With current statistics of 50 people being murdered every day in South Africa, does that not alarm them? How many people need to die before these useless and over-paid politicians do something to bring this nightmare to an end? Can we be asking for so much from our leaders?
Johnny Vassilaros
Winston Park
