Only when crime hits close to you will you fully comprehend what others go through

Picture the scene: it is 8pm on Friday in downtown Johannesburg. Most streets and buildings are dark because of load shedding. Among a few buildings that are lit, is the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng headquarters in Pritchard Street, opposite the High Court in Johannesburg.

I stand at the external lobby – peeping through the large glass wall partition, to find security officers around the reception area – on duty. I wave and they wave back at me.

Given the country’s high crime rate, worsened by the city being largely plunged into darkness, for me standing close to the entrance of the NPA offices – in full view of security guards, was the best spot, while awaiting an Uber to pick me up. But I was to be proven wrong.

Taking a glance at the direction of the corner of Pritchard and Kruis streets, a group of five young men – one carrying a firearm – hurriedly walked towards the NPA to accost a man who had just withdrawn money from a nearby ATM. With one pointing a firearm at the man, they were soon all over his pockets.

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How brazen was that in the full glare of security guards at an NPA office? I looked in the direction of the NPA security guards who were watching the incident from inside the reception area and made a signal to either open for me to come in, or call the police.

It was not to be, as they sat, motionless, as if nothing was happening. I was already resigning myself to be the next victim. To my relief, the criminals left the scene – leaving their traumatised victim to walk towards me and relate his experience.

“I had just withdrawn money to pay for books and school uniform for my kids – now all is gone. They also took my iPhone,” he said.

I tried to comfort him for what he went through, imploring him to report the matter to the police and seek counselling. But that alone will not bring back what he lost.

Minutes later, a Johannesburg Metro Police Department van parked opposite the court. It was only then that the NPA guards came out, telling me to “be free and call your Uber again, because the cops are here now”.

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“We see this every day, but there is nothing we can do,” said one of the guards. Eventually, my Uber car came and I left. This was not the only incident I witnessed.

Last week, an elderly couple who had just got out of their vehicle outside the Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park, were walking towards the hospital reception area, when their cellphone was suddenly snatched. Giving chase was too late because the criminals were nowhere to be found as they sped off in a car.

Cellphones have become a new much-sought after commodity by criminals, who sometimes flee into cars. In most cases, they are armed and things can turn out fatal if you resist.

The two incidents are a mere drop in the ocean, considering what many South Africans go through daily. While our men and women in uniform can occasionally be seen patrolling during the day, that is certainly not enough – especially during darkness, associated with load shedding.

The tightening of our criminal justice system: a special unit of plainclothes police officers – taking shifts to patrol the streets – lengthy sentences imposed on criminals and the amendment of gun laws to allow citizens to fully protect themselves, are among measures needed.

Only when crime hits close to you will you fully comprehend what others go through.

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