Local image #164
2026, Acrylic on board, 30x30cm
14 May 2026
Attempted power cable theft outside our house in the early hours of Monday morning. Thank God our neighbour spotted three Black guys hiding behind trees on his security cameras. His security system notifies him when there is movement, and he posted on the various WhatsApp groups for security patrols to respond. They arrested them and took them to the SAPS station. I should get some security cameras too. It is heartening to see that the security companies together with a vigilant neighbour can prevent crime. We have communal security cameras on the corner as well through Citi Protection, a private security company, which show a loiterer or two at night very often. A vehicle is dispatched and the loiterer is sometimes found, questioned, and escorted out of the area. Loitering at night is considered suspicious behaviour and an arrest may be made. It is always a Black person. We live close to the infamous Melchizedek building. It was featured on Carte Blanche and in many news articles. It is a hijacked building and a drug den. During Covid a squatter camp sprouted next to the building too. The building recently caught fire — some were injured but at least there were no deaths. There is no water or electricity there, and no ablutions. Most of our crime comes from there. Druggies breaking in and stealing for their next fix. And they steal power cables and vandalise substations. It has been this way for decades, and still no resolution in sight. The long-suffering ratepayers and law-abiding citizens of Riviera have been fed up with this situation since it started. But there are ridiculous laws preventing any action being taken. Thank you ANC and the Human Rights Commission. Effectively criminals have taken the privileged position. Their rights and feelings are more regarded than those of law-abiding citizens. It is comforting to linger and look at this beautiful flower that also looks like a vigilant patroller from some fantasy alternate world.
Attempted power cable theft outside our house in the early hours of Monday morning. Thank God our neighbour spotted three Black guys hiding behind trees on his security cameras. His security system notifies him when there is movement, and he posted on the various WhatsApp groups for security patrols to respond. They arrested them and took them to the SAPS station. I should get some security cameras too. It is heartening to see that the security companies together with a vigilant neighbour can prevent crime. We have communal security cameras on the corner as well through Citi Protection, a private security company, which show a loiterer or two at night very often. A vehicle is dispatched and the loiterer is sometimes found, questioned, and escorted out of the area. Loitering at night is considered suspicious behaviour and an arrest may be made. It is always a Black person. We live close to the infamous Melchizedek building. It was featured on Carte Blanche and in many news articles. It is a hijacked building and a drug den. During Covid a squatter camp sprouted next to the building too. The building recently caught fire — some were injured but at least there were no deaths. There is no water or electricity there, and no ablutions. Most of our crime comes from there. Druggies breaking in and stealing for their next fix. And they steal power cables and vandalise substations. It has been this way for decades, and still no resolution in sight. The long-suffering ratepayers and law-abiding citizens of Riviera have been fed up with this situation since it started. But there are ridiculous laws preventing any action being taken. Thank you ANC and the Human Rights Commission. Effectively criminals have taken the privileged position. Their rights and feelings are more regarded than those of law-abiding citizens. It is comforting to linger and look at this beautiful flower that also looks like a vigilant patroller from some fantasy alternate world.