People of Lenasia 'not keen to get involved'

Brazen criminals have prompted calls for a community to stand up and be counted - but not many people have responded.

"The community just don't seem interested in getting involved," said the chairman of Lenasia Active Citizenry, Mohamed Bulbulia.

"The relationship with the police is strained and this needs to be addressed. We need to unite to fight crime - it affects all of us."

Earlier this month, an elderly Lenasia brother and sister, Yusuf and Mariam Varachia, who is in a wheelchair, were held up in their Nirvana Street home and bound and gagged before robbers ransacked it.

Yusuf died the next day in hospital.

When the robbers returned five days later, Mariam was alone in the house, but the police were there and apprehended the thugs.

"Mariam was severely assaulted. She was taken to hospital. Unfortunately she lost an eye," said Bulbulia.

The chairwoman of the Lenasia Community Policing Forum, Prabha Hargovan, did not respond to calls or messages.

Provincial police spokeswoman Katlego Mogale confirmed that two suspects were arrested and had appeared in a Lenasia court.

They were charged with house robbery, Mogale said, and would apply for bail on February 20.