By Nobuhle L. Ngema
Thabang Patrick Mariba, a resident of Vosloorus, complains about the recent “operation” of people stealing geysers and copper, which he and his neighbour has recently been victims of.
“I never thought I could be a victim, after just one midnight of the 11th of February, I got robbed.” he said.
He mentioned that there has been a decrease in geysers being stolen after the information was relayed to the entire community, but he’s still nervous as one can never know who could be the next target. “I urge the community to be on look out, especially during midnight. They now know we no longer have patrollers because of instability.”
The community of Vosloorus, ext 28 to be precise, have lost the privilege of their community being guided by patrollers, who ensured their safety, because the very same community didn’t want to pay. “Patrollers are complaining that the money that we contribute as community for them is too little because they also have families to feed,” Thabang explains.
Culprits are not yet found, Thabang mentions, “but if we catch them, we will definitely hand them over to the police.”
Thabang is currently unemployed; having to buy and install another geyser or copper pipes could be expensive for him; the culprits have really inconvenienced him.
“Amongst many challenges we are experiencing as the community of Vosloorus, is drug abuse. Our councilors are trying all that they can to uplift us, and I know this because I attend community meetings regularly, but we need more youth opportunities.”
Thabang believes the high rat of unemployment rate might be also the cause of drug abuse, amongst many other existing challenges, because “an empty mind become a devil’s playground.”
Another thing which is of concern to him, is opportunities that are limited by age. He also has dreams, vison and ambition just like everyone, but what happens after one hits 35? That is a big concern for him.
