AfriForum expands tactical training capacity with new proto team instructors in the southern region
AfriForum presented a proto team instructors’ course in Mossel Bay on 13 and 14 May, during which seven members successfully qualified as instructors. The course forms part of AfriForum’s continued effort to further expand its community safety structures and equip neighbourhood watches with advanced tactical skills.
Those who completed the training are AfriForum proto team members in the southern region who already serve as accredited range officers. The participants represent areas across the south, including the West Coast, Boland, Southern Cape and Eastern Cape.
According to David Olivier, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety for the southern region, the newly qualified instructors will play an important role in the further training of neighbourhood watch members in tactical firearm use and operational response.
“These instructors will help train proto team members across the southern region in practical tactical skills. This includes, among other things, the safe approach of suspicious vehicles and premises, as well as general tactical response during safety incidents,” says Olivier.
AfriForum’s southern region is divided into several support circles and the new instructors will henceforth regularly train qualified proto team members in these areas to help maintain and further develop their skills.
According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, this training strengthens AfriForum’s capacity to support communities more effectively amid rising violent crime.
“Crime in South Africa is becoming increasingly violent and communities are often compelled to take greater responsibility for their own safety. This training helps expand AfriForum’s capacity so that more courses can be presented simultaneously and more volunteers can be trained,” says Broodryk.
He further emphasises that proto team members focus on supporting law enforcement authorities in their respective areas.
“Our members are trained volunteers committed to supporting law enforcement and making communities safer. At a time when the South African Police Service (SAPS) is under tremendous pressure due to staffing and budget shortages, it is important that organised community safety structures be strengthened.”
AfriForum will continue to expand its safety training nationwide to better equip communities to help combat crime in a responsible and coordinated manner.
