Thieves

I live in an area on the south side of Johannesburg, l have been living here for the past five years. I have adapted the system. The area is known for it's criminality acts , heists, shootings, drugs and prostitution mostly its closer to the Cbd hence making it easier for many to reside in. It's full of different foreign nationals and l do say l now speak and hear two different languages . And did l mention the different foods and culture l get to see and explore on celebrations in our streets. It's amazing. But thats a topic for another day.

Today l write about our thieves mainly because of an incident l witnessed earlier. Turns out they have their use and help in the community after all. I walked past our locally well known thieves reprimanding a neighbours child whose apparently on drugs. l understand his been selling the mothers household items to get his next smoke. They told him how privileged he was to have a home and a mother who cares for him, why cause her suffering. Does he think they enjoy being in the streets, does he think its life?

I was moved by the sobering tears of the mother. They put it up to themselves to take charge and beat him up if ever they find him on the drug streets. For a minute l applauded them but it's still doesn't compansate that l still have to bribe them with cigarettes and coins here and there so as to not have them rob me. That's the trick of survival in our neighborhood.