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Bloemspruit community (pop.380?) lives in constant fear: nearly 80 murders in 2010 alone says SAPF. 2011-09-14 source; Volksblad journalist André Damons
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Picture: On Monday SEPT 12 2011 two white residents were attacked at Bloemspruit: Danie Harris, whose entire safe was carried off; and Manie van Tonder, who scared off two knifemen with a warning shot in his home - the two black males fled and left behind two long knives. That same day, Bloemspruit smallholdings was declared the most dangerous place in all of South Africa. Nearly 80 people were murdered there in 2010. And the residents are fully aware of it.
Mailman Johannes Mofokeng says he thanks God every day he gets out of the rapidly-deteriorating region safely.
The grass is tall, there are many derelict buildings and the infrastructure is collapsing. An ideal breeding ground for criminal gangs, writes Damons.
Countless Bloemspruiters have already been victims. Some more than once. Mofokeng' and hislittle post office was attacked numerous times: he was robbed at gunpoint of a computer and money.
281 people were arrested for rape. Mofokeng says every time someone walks into the post office he's scared.
And the entire community is locking itself up behind security gates and the Plaaswag farm security patrols. Big dog with big teeth and bad attitudes guard the barriers. Strangers are regarded with deep suspicion and fear.
Bloemspruiters say crime is out of control, and only two cops go out of their way to help fight the crime-wave: Kobus Palm en Pieter du Plessis.
The rest of the police force do nothing to try and prevent more crime.
Hannes Hamman, owner of the local liquor outlet, says: "We sit and wait and wonder who will be next.
It's just a question of time, because you cannot say you won't get attacked'. He's been attacked repeatedly over the past two years.
The list of murder-victims is long: Hennie Viljoen (51), Barend Steyn (73), Palesa Nthabiseng Thako (15).; two Bangladeshi shopkeepers, a young shop assistant, and then there's Eric Samuel Letshabo (25) who was shot through both legs by armed robbers.
A suspected serial killer/rapist is also on the prowl: three women and a young girl were murdered.
Just last Monday Danie Harris, 54, and Manie van Tonder, 45, were attacked. Van Tonder chased the attackers away with a warning shot; Harris's entire safe was carried off together with his shotgun, a .22 rifle and ammo.
Van Tonder said he saw the men with their long knives just in time and locked his high guard-gates, yelled at them and then he fired a warning shot.
They ran , leaving their knives behind. "The police has yet to show up,' said Van Tonder on Wednesday.
Resident Leon Meyer said he does not trust any people who walk down the street. "They steal as they walk around. They don't easily get inside here because I demand to know what they want.'
And then I chase them off.
He said residents can only rely on two members of the police force who go out of their way to try and fight against the crime-tsunami: Kobus Palm and Pieter du Plessis.
"The police says it tries to deal with the crime-problem by regular visits to peddlers of alcoholic beverages; by stopping and searching motorists, and by 'crime research and evaluation'.
"We also have counter-crime projects in place,' he said.
- Volksblad http://www.volksblad.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Ek-dank-God-as-ek-veilig-hier-uitstap-20110914