An illegal squatter camp has sprung up a stone’s throw from Laudium extension 3, shattering the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.
Between 15 and 20 burglaries a month had become a common occurrence, residents complained this week.
“Five years ago there was nothing, but then unknown people began selling land there and people started building shacks. Crime levels in the area went up,” said resident Bobby Singh.
He said nyaope addicts were terrorising the area.
“I have identified three groups which steal palisade fencing, fencing, and clothing. They took all the copper water meters in the area, but the police are not doing anything about the situation.”
Singh said police promised to patrol the area, but were not catching the culprits.
“They never patrol the whole area and just drive past Ahimsa street to turn right in Bengal. That is not patrolling. They are simply driving around.”
Another resident who asked not to be named, said there were also honest and hard-working people in the informal settlement, but the jobless inhabitants staying at home all day were creating problems.
Burglaries at night were also a serious concern and people no longer slept soundly.
“As you can see, there is a hill behind most of the houses, this is where the criminal activity takes place. You can actually hear people shouting for help late at night, but when you call the cops they take their time.”
A Rekord reporter found several clothing items on the hill, some of them belonging to women.
Another disgruntled resident, Salie Davids, said the crime in the area was getting worse.
“On Sunday, an elderly man was attacked and stabbed in his house. These people have no respect for anyone, breaking down doors and forcing their way into homes. Sometimes people in the informal settlement turn on their music so loud it sounds like it is being played next to me.”
Laudium police station spokeswoman Captain Reed Steynberg said police were aware of the crime, and they had deployed patrols in the area.
“We cannot put policemen on everyone’s doorstep, but we are trying to at least fight crime in the area, the crime comes from the squatter camp and we appeal to residents to help us fight this crime.”
Steynberg suggested that residents form a community policing forum.
“Residents must form crime combating groups and community policing forums. That way crime in their areas will reduce and criminals will be a thing of the past.”
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Also read: Hill a crime hotspot
