A family in Machobeni, South Africa, was robbed and terrorized in their home on Wednesday, just two days after losing their 67-year-old matriarch, Lindiwe "Neli" Msomi. According to Sanele Msomi, the son of the deceased, the family had gathered at their home to mourn and light candles for the deceased when the robbers struck. The robbers, who were over eight in number and wearing face masks, broke into two houses in the yard, armed with guns.
The robbers entered two rooms where the men were sitting, pointed guns at them, and demanded valuables. At the same time, they entered another room where the women were, and did the same. The family was ordered to lie down, and the robbers made off with two cellphones, a PlayStation, a laptop that the deceased used for her work at the local creche, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The family was shaken but not physically harmed during the ordeal. However, they were left traumatized by the experience, especially since they were already grieving the loss of their loved one. The deceased, a well-known preschool teacher, had passed away on Monday afternoon at a local hospital.
The incident has highlighted the growing concern about crime in the area, with residents calling for more support from law enforcement agencies. Andile Jali, the founder of the Thekwini Neighborhood Watch, said that such incidents have been on the rise in the Nanda area, citing a lack of cooperation between security agencies and the government.
Jali expressed frustration that despite numerous presentations to the authorities, including the Deputy Mayor, they have not seen any meaningful action to address the issue. He suggested that the municipality could provide support by establishing mobile police stations or providing resources to community-based security initiatives.
The Neighborhood Watch has also proposed that the municipality provide job opportunities that do not require experience, to motivate community members to get involved in crime prevention. Additionally, they have suggested that a budget of R40 million, allegedly allocated for community safety, could be used to provide essential resources to security personnel.
Jali lamented that the lack of support from the government has led to a decline in morale among community members who are fighting against crime. He emphasized that it is essential for the government to provide necessary resources and support to enable community members to effectively combat crime.
Key points
- The family was robbed and terrorized in their home just two days after losing their matriarch.
- Residents are calling for more support from law enforcement agencies to address the growing concern about crime in the area.
- The Neighborhood Watch has proposed several measures to address crime, including job opportunities and resources for community-based security initiatives.
