The residents of Laudium and surrounds remain increasingly concerned for their safety, as more and more of their own fall prey to criminals trawling the area in search of their next victim.
In the latest incident three thugs robbed a house situated at corner of Fifth Avenue and Pendant Street in Laudium, last Friday (February 23) at around 11am.
A neighbour claimed that three armed thugs had come to the door of Yusuf (Joe) Ismail's house that morning, under the pretense of wanting to speak about the family's domestic worker. The thugs claimed to be from the CCMA, thus gaining entry to the house. The criminals then accosted Yusuf's wife, Shaakira, binding her before looting the home. Although the homeowner was not physically hurt, she remains emotionally traumatised, the neighbour added. The neighbour who wished to remain anonymous told the Laudium Sun that the thugs escaped with some cash and household items.
Another Fifth Avenue resident, Liam Pillay (29), who is renting an outbuilding close to the Ismail home, said he heard through a domestic worker that the thugs had been watching the movements of Yusuf (SI) and his family, and pounced as soon as they got a chance.
“These criminals saw an opportunity and took it. The worst part is that they continue to terrorize our community because they know that our local police force is a joke! I have never heard any news or even read in the Laudium Sun about criminals getting caught and put in jail. All I ever hear about is more robberies upon robberies. I just wish that these local cops can get their act together. I find it very odd that no one noticed anything out of the ordinary, because on this corner of 5th Avenue, it is a busy street even with security guards patrolling the area.” Liam concluded.
When the Laudium Sun approached Yusuf for a comment on the incident, he refused to say much except that they were traumatised by the ordeal.
He, however, confirmed that they had recently fired their domestic worker but refused to say why.
5th Avenue resident, Liam Pillay, says he believes that the Laudium police force is a joke.
The house at the corner of 5th Avenue and Pendant Street in Laudium, which was targeted by criminals recently.