Brazen robbery at Hindu temple leaves devotees traumatised
The affront on religious institutions by marauding thieves continued as five devotees were left traumatised and humiliated after they were robbed and had rubbish poured on them by pistol-wielding gunmen at the Maha Shiv Mandir Temple in Newlands East, on Monday.
The incident, which happened in broad daylight at midday, has drawn condemnation from religious leaders and ordinary residents alike, some even calling it a desecration of the sacred site. The five devotees who fell prey to the robbers parted ways with jewellery, cash as well as car and house keys. The temple donation box was also taken.
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The Maha Shiv Mandir Temple’s secretary, Sunitha Gangaram, stated that it was due to divine intervention that no lives were lost or physically injuries were sustained.
“We are grateful to God that no one was hurt during the robbery. Things could have easily gone that way especially after the son of one of the devotees heard the commotion and attempted to help. One of the gunmen shot at him but only hit a pot plant. But, with all that said we remain undeterred will continue conducting our prayers,” she said.
A resident, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, charged the growing number of break-ins and robberies to drug addicts. “Crime has gotten out of hand because of the whoonga addicts around here. They are always in search of their next fix and they don’t mind breaking into a sacred place if it means that they find a way to get that fix. I fear that the jewellery that devotees sometime wear could put them on the radar of these criminals,” said the mother of two.
Former Minority Front councillor at the eThekwini Municipality and Newlands West resident, Viresh Bhana, said Newlands has become a crime hot spot.
“Residents are under siege and little or nothing is being done by the relevant authorities. On a daily basis all crime groups are reporting incidents of hijacking, home invasions and theft at the bus stops. There is a shortage of police resources and there is no assistance from senior management of the police force. The Minority Front calls upon the Minister of Police to install a satellite police station in the Newlands West suburb. We have made this call many times and it seems to have fallen on deaf ears,” said Bhana.
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This is not the first incident to occur at the temple. A few years ago, seven armed men left a group of devotees battered and bruised during a robbery. The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS), the body that governs Hindus in SA, has previously spoken out against robberies and break-ins.
During robberies, thieves are said to target brass items such as murthies, chumbus, trays and lamps, as well as speakers and amplifiers are said to be targeted during robberies.
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