Criminals taking over

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I READ with anger and disgust of the hijacking of the Community Chest chief executive in Uitenhage ("Community Chest boss stands her ground against hijackers", October 5), her pleas (that the asset belong to a charity organisation which helps the vulnerable) falling on deaf ears because the thugs were determined to "finish the mission".

It took me back to two events in August, the first being when I was stopped by about 20 SAPS officials in Norongo Road. They demanded proof of ownership of my vehicle, which I duly provided.

Satisfied that I owned the car, they advised me to go home as they had received information that my vehicle had been hijacked that very evening. I felt so despondent and told them that if I was on a list, then it meant that the hijackers knew where I was living.

On August 29, at about 7pm the hijackers eventually came and had the audacity to come to my home. They took my car, plasma TV, laptop and other personal belongings.

The one issue which does not make sense to me is the notion of thinking that our cars and other belongings are not taken by "extra-terrestrials", but by people we share the same neighbourhoods with. I have always argued that criminals have reached a point of consciousness where they have become aware of their victims' ability to forgive (as forced upon us by the so-called morals of society), such that they (the criminals) will inflict as much harm as possible, shoot, rape and kill, only to ask for forgiveness.

We subsidise their "alternative freedom" in state prisons through our taxes which provide them with excellent accommodation and other facilities such that they even look forward in anticipation to be jailed.

The saddest thing of all is that we, the community, are running scared with tails between our legs. We are even prepared to spend money on the latest security equipment (which incidentally is not a guarantee) to fortify our safety, whereas we know who commits these crimes.

If the day arrives where criminals know that they have a lot to lose after having committed hideous acts of violence, then it will be easy to believe the annual crime statistics, and for us to live in peace in our homes.