Is Church Street worse than a warzone?

EDDIE Louw is a 91 year old Vryheid resident who survived World War II completely unscathed.

Eddie Louw was brutally attacked in Church Street on the afternoon of December 7 and severely injured in broad daylight by a malicious thief who stole his wallet.

Mr Louw parked his car near the corner of Church and High Streets and went to ABSA Bank to pay an account. Upon returning to his car, he was suddenly tackled from behind by an unknown assailant whose attack threw the elderly victim off balance and subsequently sent him crashing to the pavement, shattering his hip in the process. The shameless miscreant made off with Mr Louw’s wallet, leaving the aged war veteran helpless and hurt alongside his vehicle.

Within minutes of being subjected to the cruel and callous side of society, Mr Louw experienced the caring and compassionate actions of two good Samaritans who rushed to his aid. The thief was long gone with Mr Louw’s wallet, which incidentally would be of no use to him as it contained only credit cards and the victim’s driver’s license – no cash. The two men who assisted Mr Louw helped him into his vehicle and ensured that he reached a doctor.

Mr Louw spent over a week in hospital as a result of the attack, incidentally the second attack on him in three months, undergoing hip replacement surgery. Add to that the inconvenience of replacing his driver’s licence and credit cards and the strain that the injury has placed on the 91 year old man.

The incident was reported to the police, but the victim was allegedly informed that there was nothing that they could do.

Mr Louw did not get the identities of the two good Samaritans, but would like to thank them for their assistance in his time of need.

He would also like to warn the elderly against becoming easy targets for criminals.

“Don’t go to the bank by yourself. Always take a friend or a family member.”

Eddie Louw survived World War II without injury, so what gives a hapless criminal the right to mistreat him?