‘It’s time society stood up for justice’
OMI Nair, a Shallcross resident who recently led a campaign against illegal land grabs: “For far too long the Indian community has been seen as easy prey and soft targets for criminals, especially with our passive nature.
“Not any more. “Fourteen months ago we stood up against land invasion in Chatsworth – something which has never been seen before in 51 years in our area. The courage of the Chatsworth community came to the fore and this negative in our lives brought us together to stand up against criminality as a whole.
“This strength came through and was shown last Monday with the death of our precious 9-year-old Sadia Sukhraj in a hijacking in Shallcross.
“As a community we are saying enough is enough and we need national government to take note of this. We are law abiding rate and taxpaying citizens and all we are asking for is support from law enforcement to enable us to lead a normal, safe life for our families, protect our property and safeguard our legacy.
“As a community we are prepared to support law enforcement with our CPFs and patrollers. In turn we want the SAPS and metro police to increase visible policing and patrols, all entrances and exits to all areas should be monitored very closely to minimise car hijackings and more cameras need to be installed which should be monitored 24/7. We implore the community to get involved in your street patrols and vigilance is key.
“We all have a responsibility to keep our community safe and there needs to be a change in mindsets. Relying on a handful of dedicated individuals while you sit in your comfort zone is not going to help our cause. If you are serious about eradicating crime in our midst, be it from outside criminal elements or our local whoonga and sugar addicts, then it starts with you!
“We feel positive and hopeful that our interaction with local, provincial and national government is going to bear fruit. We have seen Police Minister Bheki Cele in action before and know that he has the ability to take on criminals head on. As a local resident he understands what the community is going through and he will be back in 14 days to give the community of Chatsworth answers and a way forward in this fight against crime. The Justice Department has listened to our demands as well with bail being denied for the accused in the Sadia Sukhraj case and keeping the accused in custody until the trial. We are also looking to forge partnerships with business in this fight against crime. We are appealing to all security companies to come on board as well. With this type of power in our areas, we have the ability to eliminate this scourge which is enveloping us daily.”
Rocky Naidoo, deputy chairperson of the Bayview CPF:
“At the end of the day these criminal activities like home invasions and car hijacking are continuing. Police have been saying they have limited resources but they still need to assist the community. A lot emanates from the fact that the economy is not good and without jobs people turn to crime. The community needs to mobilise and form street committees or even join their community policing forums (CPFs).
“Nowadays people are quick on their WhatsApp chats and if a group sees or hears of some criminal activity and posts it on the groups, it can be intercepted by another CPF that got the message. In the fight against crime we need more resources, we need effective policing as we have been promised.
“I don’t think anyone feels safe anywhere anymore. My family and I have been victims of hijackings. I was targeted outside my own home, so it’s safe to say crime doesn’t affect a certain person, it affects everyone in all areas.”
Jonathan Annipen, Chatsworth Ward 73 MF PR councillor:
“It seems that the passive nature of our people has been misconstrued and criminals seem to believe that we are soft targets. As a councillor I have been in constant contact with affected communities and families. I want our community to unite to rid our society of this scourge. Don’t respond irrationally and do not react with violence. We must continue to work in unison to fight crime.
“As a party we support CPFs and other policing forums and we want to let our people know that we have to look out for each other. When you are leaving home, let your neighbour know so that someone is keeping an eye out for you. Keep community and street chat groups. Be cautious at stop streets. Let us be quick thinkers.” MY SPIRIT is restless. In recent days we have seen the Chatsworth community in Durban rise up in protest action after the senseless killing of a 9-year-old girl in a hijacking.
As with any protest stemming from violent crimes against the innocent, some protesters became emotional and expressed their anger and frustration with the local police, who repeatedly fail to protect law-abiding, tax-paying citizens.
This is South Africa. There are various acts of violent protest that emerge across the country on an ongoing basis, and these often persist for days, sometimes weeks, until there is resolution. To watch video footage of women and children being fired at with rubber bullets and tear gas by the police because they stood up against violent crimes in their community is a travesty indeed.
Reminds me of the Sharpeville massacre, Soweto Day and Marikana. We have a national holiday to remind us of the Sharpeville massacre. It’s called Human Rights Day.
On June 16 we will have another public holiday to commemorate: Soweto Day.
Have we forgotten our past? What about our human right to be protected by law enforcement agents and the judicial system?
The rot runs deep in South Africa.
Victims of crime have to rely on a system that is deepseated with both apathy and corruption. It’s a tragic combination for those seeking justice. Criminals bribe law enforcement agents. Their legal representatives can make anything “go away” for a fee. I have witnessed and experienced it first-hand.
I’m still trying to rise above the corruption without becoming part of the rot and resorting to devious means.
If it’s not who you are, you either accept that justice will never be served and move on, or you invest your life in chasing up with law enforcement agents in the hope of getting results. It’s a pretty hopeless situation when the people who are paid to fight for justice are part of the rot.
It’s about time that society stood up for justice.
In the early 2000s, my uncle and cousin were shot in their family store. My uncle died from his injuries, and I recall local politicians being present at his funeral, where many called for better policing and a more efficient judicial system.
It’s 2018. His killers were never caught. But his family is still tormented by the lack of closure and retribution.
Chatsworth is my home town. I was born there. Attended school there. My mom is a 72-year-old pensioner who still insists on living there.
Where are the community leaders and politicians who garner votes at election time? Where is their plan of action to rid the community of criminal elements? Why are the local police not being proactive in protecting the very people who pay the rates and taxes that fund their salaries?
I’m proud of my hometown. A lot of the schools and community infrastructure was part funded by families and businesses from the community. It’s what we do. We invest in future generations.
Judging from the videos on social media, nobody burnt schools or vehicles or infrastructure in last Monday’s protest action. People have lost trust, faith and hope in the system.
I don’t condone violence. It’s not who I am. But I do support the right to protest. I recall being shoved into a police vehicle as a teenager the day I bunked school to attend the “free the beaches” protest on Durban’s beachfront. I wasn’t violent or unlawful. This was how the apartheid police intimidated protesters.
Today I stand proud when I reflect on that day. Our protests led to Durban’s beachfront being made legally accessible to non-whites. I am a non-white. Which meant my children got to play on that beach legally! I never got to do that when I was their age.
History has taught us that some things are worth standing up for. I stand with that community. I stand with victims of crime. I stand with victims of injustice.