As two Erasmia neighbours made their way home this past Friday evening (October 27) looking forward to a family get together and braai, their plans were thwarted by greedy criminals.
Speaking to the Laudium Sun, Trevain Naidoo (28) said that he and his neighbour, Elton Sibahle (25) had been on their way home from work on Friday evening, when they were accosted by three armed thugs.
“Elton and I stay on the same property on Lenchen Street where we each rent a portion of a sub divided home. That Friday night we had planned to have a braai with our two families so we were in a hurry to get home. We jumped off the taxi at the Erasmia robot and were walking home, when out of nowhere, three thugs approached us as we turned into Steynberg Street! Honestly, I did not even suspect that these guys were criminals! They were quite well dressed and all of them appeared to be teenagers. Then suddenly, the trio surrounded us and the thug in the middle pulled out a gun, that he had tucked in the front of his jeans, and demanded all our valuables. We were so shocked that we just looked at each other and froze. There were a few cars that passed us but did not stop to help!” exclaimed Trevain disbelievingly.
“Elton handed over his phone and pleaded with them to leave us alone. I handed over my backpack, which had many supplies that we needed for the braai, to another thug. What really perturbed me is that they were so casual, talking to each other and laughing as if they had done this a million times before!
It was unnerving to see that! Once they had all our stuff, they calmly walked away from us, with the thug who was armed, keeping his gun pointed at us, I guess to prevent us from going after them,” the still visibly stunned Trevain added.
“Once the creeps were out of sight we both rushed to the nearest house and started ringing the bell frantically! The owner of the home, Aslam Haroon, was helpful and even assisted us to report the robbery to the police as well as to the crime groups in Erasmia.
Elton and I are both very grateful to him for his assistance. We are not hopeful of recovering our possessions, but take solace in the fact that an accurate description of the criminals is with the police. I hope they do something constructive with it,” concluded the Sunderland Ridge employee.
The Erasmia police confirmed that a case of robbery was opened and is currently under investigation.
A pair of Erasmia neighbours was robbed at this spot (circled) while walking on Steynberg Street.
Not hopeful of recovering his possessions: Trevain Naidoo (28).
Shocked crime victim: Elton Sibhale (25).