55 AfriForum neighbourhood watch members patrol streets of North West towns
The AfriForum neighbourhood watches in Bloemhof, Christiana, Delareyville, Sannieshof and Vryburg took part in the civil rights organisation’s annual mass patrol last week, protecting the streets of their towns from sunset onwards. These neighbourhood watches, several private security services and even the South African Police Service (SAPS) joined forces and participated in the patrol.
In total, 55 patrollers drove patrols in their respective towns and collectively covered 815 km in 30 vehicles. The main purpose of the patrol was to increase visibility in the various areas to discourage criminal activity. As a result, no serious incidents were reported during the patrols.
“The Stellaland neighbourhood watches will continue to conduct patrols in cooperation with the SAPS and other private security services to help curb crime and promote safety. Increased visibility in towns plays an important role in community safety, and it is therefore important that patrols like these take place,” says Jp Nel, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Stellaland.
In addition to the patrols carried out by AfriForum’s Stellaland neighbourhood watches, the branches continued to undertake more than nine different community projects. Among other things, the branches repaired potholes and made much-needed donations to animal shelters. More than R20 000 was spent on these projects in an effort to improve conditions in local communities.
“AfriForum’s Stellaland branches ensures that communities receive the necessary help and support that is often lacking in small towns. These projects are specifically aimed at addressing the challenges communities face. However, AfriForum will continue to put pressure on municipalities to fulfil their constitutional duties towards residents,” Nel concludes.
