AfriForum neighbourhood watches help apprehend nearly 60 suspects in Gauteng during mass patrol
AfriForum’s 178 neighbourhood and farm watches conducted their third nationwide mass patrol of the year over the past weekend, during which they helped arrest approximately 56 suspects in Gauteng for offences ranging from drunk driving and drug possession and dealing.
The coordinated nationwide mass patrol aimed to increase visible patrols, strengthen cooperation with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and other security stakeholders, and test the operational readiness of AfriForum’s security structures.
Pretoria
In Pretoria, AfriForum’s Noord van die Berg neighbourhood watch, whose members recently received police training to enable them to participate in joint operations with the SAPS, provided much-needed assistance to the police, contributing to the arrest of 53 suspects.
“Crime knows no boundaries, which is why our neighbourhood watch did not hesitate to accept the invitation from the SAPS in Erasmia and Olievenhoutbosch to participate in their joint operations,” says Ruan Janse van Vuuren, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Noord van die Berg branch and Head of Community Safety at the branch.
“Thanks to the training our neighbourhood watch members recently received, law enforcement officers could rest assured that a capable and well-trained team was on hand to assist them.”
On 9 October, the neighbourhood watch assisted the police in arresting six undocumented immigrants, seven suspects for drug possession and dealing, and three suspects for the unlawful sale of alcohol.
On 10 October, the neighbourhood watch was once again deployed as a key force multiplier at a roadblock, where nine motorists were arrested for drunk driving and 28 undocumented immigrants were apprehended.
Johannesburg
A total of 17 members of AfriForum’s Benoni neighbourhood watch focused on increasing the visibility of community safety structures during the mass patrol. The neighbourhood watch therefore covered more than 1 000 km on patrols in areas including Great North Road and John Barrable Hall.
AfriForum’s Germiston neighbourhood watch also assisted the police, the CPF and private security structures in apprehending three suspects who had established an illegal cable connection in Mimosa Park. The neighbourhood watch also responded to a break-in at Daeraad Pre-Primary School, and the police are investigating the matter further.
“Community safety starts with the volunteers who strive every day to keep their immediate surroundings safe. This national patrol provides an opportunity to showcase the impact of neighbourhood watches and organised communities across the country, and the successes speak for themselves,” says Dewet Ungerer, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety in the Northern Region.
