Reddy attack sadly far from isolated

IT WAS sad to hear of former ANC councillor Visvin Reddy’s stabbing opposite Pinetown Home Affairs (The Mercury, August 9). I am reacting to his comment that “he hoped that it had not happened to anyone else”.

Well, it has and it does – on a daily basis. We have a Facebook group called Upper Highway Info and not a day goes by when some member is not accosted, mugged, stabbed and children traumatised outside – and occasionally inside – Pinetown Home Affairs, all for a cellphone and whatever money the person is carrying.

I am one of the fortunate ones, but I have personally encouraged those who have been affected to write to your newspaper and recount their stories in the hopes that someone might sit up and take notice and do something about the situation.

These incidents are reported to the SAPS, but nothing (or very little) is being done. It would appear that one or two gangs of young men are deeming visitors to Home Affairs soft targets and these incidents are not confined to one race group – they are happening to everyone.

Mr Reddy, if you are reading this, perhaps you would like to use your very negative experience and change it to something positive by using your influence to ensure that people can go to Pinetown Home Affairs without fearing for their lives! The SAPS needs to eradicate these gangs and Home Affairs needs to be provided with increased and effective security. Yours in the name of safety! LINDSAY GRAY

Hillcrest

Manager attacked, yet no security

I HAVE just heard that former councillor Visven Reddy was stabbed outside Home Affairs, one of the many attacks that have taken place in that area, and still, nothing is getting done.

My wife and son were mugged while waiting in the queue a couple of months back. My wife’s head was smashed into the pavement and my son’s arm was cut with a knife. We called the SAPS and the management of Home Affairs to the scene, but neither want to take responsibility for the safety of the people visiting Home Affairs.

There are people who stand in the queue at Home Affairs regularly, who say that it’s the same gang and that they know who they are. Problem is, no one speaks up before they strike.

The manager at Home Affairs has been attacked three times and her superiors refuse to place security outside.

We posted our incident on Facebook, and many people replied, saying that they had also been attacked.

We have also made a plea to Carte Blanche to do an investigation on this problem. We’ve heard nothing back from them either.

My plea is that something positive needs to be done to protect the citizens of Pinetown from being attacked outside Home Affairs and that the scum who are committing these attacks be brought to book.

I look forward to a favourable response.

I do know that you have and will be receiving multiple e-mails.

This situation is simply acceptable.

Too dangerous for the police?

not MARK WHITTAKER Durban I HAD to get my son’s passport and my unabridged birth certificate – that meant three trips to Pinetown Home Affairs. The first time I was the victim of an attempted hijacking at knife-point and a week later I was followed and grabbed around my throat while my crucifix was ripped off.

No one helped me and the perpetrator walked off calmly back to his seat near KFC – I was told the police won’t go there because it’s too dangerous. This was three months ago. I now use the Cato Ridge area Home Affairs – it’s further, but far safer!

This is becoming Crimetown’s reputation and it’s getting worse … but as usual in SA, no one cares until someone famous is a victim!

KERRY SALMON Soon-to-be ex-resident

I’m afraid to go to Home Affairs

MY HUSBAND has a disability and he went to Home Affairs in Pinetown in April. He parked by the KFC. All was fine until he walked back to the car. He opened the boot to put his crutches in. He was approached by a man who held the boot open.

Moments later he was approached by another man who reached into the same pocket where his cellphone was and he said, “If you do anything funny I will kill you.”

Good thing my husband didn’t get hurt, but still, I need to go to Home Affairs, but I’m so afraid. TRACEY-LEE CLEGG

Durban

Bumper to bumper robbery

I WENT to Home Affairs in Pinetown to apply for a new passport and on completion I left and drove into Old Main Road where it was bumper-to-bumper traffic.

A youth wearing denim pants and a brown jersey knocked on my passenger window and another youth approached my driver side while my attention was on the youth at the passenger side.

My driver side window was unfortunately down after paying for my parking at Home Affairs and the youth reached in and grabbed my cellphone out of my hand and darted through traffic to the taxi rank.

I’m a well-built guy and martial artist, but being in traffic I was unable to give chase. This is a very common occurrence and it’s time something was done. CORNE THERON

Pinetown

Move Home Affairs offices to safer area

I WOULD like to express my concerns about the lack of security around the area where we are forced to go to when needing to visit the Home Affairs office in Pinetown.

There have been so many crime-related problems in this area and we are all afraid of going there. Visvin Reddy is not the only person to be attacked in this area. Surely something can be done about this? There is no security of any help at the offices and no police presence in this notoriously bad area. How many more people need to be attacked before something is done to ensure people’s safety? From time to time all of us from the Highway area need to go there, but in doing so, we fear for our lives. Perhaps these offices need to be moved to a safer area. AMANDA REDMAN Durban

And another cellphone goes

I AM disturbed by the complacency of our authorities.

On August 3 I went to Home Affairs to obtain a new ID. On leaving the premises, at the bottom of the ramp a young chap ran up from behind and simply took my cellphone from my breast pocket. Who gives you the right to just take what isn’t yours? I cannot understand this behaviour.

I screamed: “Get him! Get him! “to no avail. Everyone just looked at me as if I was crazy.

When will we get something done about stamping out crime? Unbelievable! CELESTE STONE

Durban