Last week, gunshots awakened me at home at about 5am.
It felt a bit surreal as I tired to figure out what was going on.
I live in an ‘almost safe’ neighbourhood with little to no criminal activity for long periods.
In the time I have lived there, twice someone got onto my family’s property.
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The first time, it was unlucky for the thief, as he rummaged in a truck, he accidently hit the indicator and gave himself away.
My Dad, being an early riser, realised someone was up to no good, reacted immediately and chased him with a large piece of timber.
I had never seen someone scale a fence that fast.
The second time, thieves stole the batteries from a truck.
We were clueless about this theft, only finding out when the truck failed to start.
So, these three gunshots in quick succession felt a bit out of place.
I looked out of a window, and noticed some activity at the house across the road.
Something had occurred, but it seemed everyone was okay.
Later, I found out that a thief or thieves had been passing by and had decided to make a pit stop along with their loot stolen elsewhere.
Perhaps they thought of adding to their collection before heading home.
Luckily, the home owners were awake and stopped them in their tracks.
Several scenarios could have played out – the criminals gaining access to the home and injuring or killing the owners – or they could have been killed.
Hopefully, the message has been passed on by them to the local criminal network in the area, to avoid this particular street.
But on a more serious note, the crime statistics from October to December 2020 were released last week and in spite of the Covid-19 lockdown and restricted movement, the crime rate in four provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal increased.
“As the Police Ministry and police management, we have taken a decision to have operational oversight in the four provinces and monitor them closely. We expect a turnaround plan to be adopted, and executed urgently and effectively,” said police minister, Bheki Cele.
If this statement is to be believed, one should see a reduction in the next quarter’s crime statistics.
In hindsight, the gunshot incident most probably involved petty criminals hoping to make a quick buck.
Maybe they are on the road to becoming career criminals or are stealing out of desperation.
Either way, I am not justifying their actions, but one has to look at the situation before and after Covid-19.
Many have lost jobs or have never been able to acquire jobs, in an economy that was already on a downward spiral before the pandemic hit and decimated it.
South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 32.5 percent in the last three months of 2020, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke revealed this week.
So, what is the solution to the crime and unemployment problem?
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