ANOTHER senseless act claimed an innocent life in our town. These senseless, lawless and violent acts seems to be the norm and the unsettling thing about it is, that one day, when you least expect it, it hits a little closer to home, getting too close for comfort,
When you then witness the emptiness and the mourning of a family, a colleague, you can’t, but wonder when and why did things turn so bad and ugly in our town.
When an innocent life of a good man gets ripped from his family circle by someone who did not think about the aftermath of his actions, then there is a rage in you which turns your inner being into turmoil.
Llewellyn Adams was killed when a speeding driver skipped a red light; a man and a woman lost their lives in an unsettled dispute about a car taken to a mechanic and payments which needed to be made; a family feud sparked a shooting at a public gathering leaving innocent patrons in harms way… and then there are the daily reports from different security companies in Alberton apprehending burglars, robbers… we can go on.
It is when you sit in casual conversation and somebody asks if you heard about the shooting and your answer is “Which one?” that you realise things are totally out of hand.
At the funeral service of Llewellyn, pastor Roy Edwards said: “This is a life that was stolen…” Reality kicks in and a silent prayer goes up that somewhere things should turn around. Somehow, by the grace of God, one prays, something should sink in and change, somebody needs to be held accountable.
But how? How do you make these idiots, who disregard traffic rules and regulations, criminals living a life as if they are untouchable, without a care or thought about the devastation they leave behind, realise that there is so much more to life than to maim, terrorise, kill, brutalise and abuse God’s creations.
Do we blame the individuals? Do we blame SAPS and Metro Police Officers for not being visible enough? Do we blame the justice system that puts these animals out on the street again? Do we blame parents for not bringing their children up with norms and a regard for life? Do we blame the socio-economic status of our country? Who is to blame?
In the aftermath of a week where Alberton experienced these tragedies, your thoughts turn inwards – thinking of those who are left behind. Wives, mothers, fathers and children. Annetjie, to you and your family, and the families of all the others who lost loved ones through these senseless and criminal acts, may you find peace in God, may He comfort and keep you close.
May God bless and keep our town.
* Editor
