Hazyview – it’s a veritable time bomb. But it’s not as if no one knows it.
The latest armed robbery this week in which schoolchildren were targeted, is scandalous. But, then again, it’s the second time this has happened, as Lowvelder reported on a similar incident in March 2011, when the pupils of Midstream College in Gauteng suffered the same ordeal.
All the kids were lucky, with no visible injuries reported. Nonetheless, the emotional trauma and the effects thereof, will be imprinted in their young minds for a very long time. The sad truth about the situation is that the community still tries to hide or play down what is happening there. As a tourist destination, crime severely affects their livelihood.
Tourist numbers have been declining steadily in the past three years, ever since the havoc started. Many establishments like the five-star Blue Mountain Lodge, have closed their doors. Others have been targeted multiple times and it doesn’t even reach the daily newspapers when crime takes place in the area.
In a recent incident criminals targeted two well-known establishments, Bhom Zeederburg and Jackal Berry on two consecutive days. In these incidents international tourists were the victims. Beloved residents like Dave Foxon have been shot and killed while others have been left severely injured.
In March last year my good friend, Izak Fick and his wife Karen were severely beaten during an armed robbery at their home while their toddler was asleep in the next room. Since then Izak has moved to Nelspruit.
“You don’t have any option but to pack up and leave. I have written so many letters to police chiefs that I have lost count. Our case doesn’t even have a dedicated investigating officer. There is a total lack of commitment and knowledge of investigating crime – and the criminals in the area are acutely aware of this dire situation.”
About a year ago Lowvelder did an investigation into the crime situation and highlighted all the incidents that had been reported. At the time the police spokesman for the province commented that he didn’t think there was a problem.
The fact is that although SAPS recently reported an overall decline in crime in the area, it did mention Hazyview as one of the hot spots.
The fact that a national journalist’s child was among the group who suffered the ordeal, sparked national interest. Various high-ranking police officers were at the scene, but was that enough?
Next week the incident will be long forgotten and the residents and businesses of Hazyview, will once again be left to fend for, and protect themselves. One can understand that the tourist industry pleads with the media not to mention the names of establishments at which incidents occur, but seeing that that approach hasn’t helped, maybe the time has come to speak out, protest, and get the national and international media involved.
Let’s get rid of the rot and start again.
