AfriForum safety networks achieve nationwide success in crime fighting, training, and emergency response
Over the past two weeks, AfriForum’s neighborhood and farm watches have been involved in various successful operations. These resulted in, among other things, the recovery of three kidnapped individuals, two hijacked vehicles, and one hijacked truck, as well as the arrest of 88 suspects in connection with a range of crimes. The organisation’s safety structures were also involved in an emergency response operation on the outskirts of Pretoria, and a team of women from Hopefield in the Western Cape has just completed their firearm-handling training.
These response and crime-prevention actions reaffirm AfriForum’s commitment to creating a safe community with the help of its well-trained safety structures.
Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, emphasises that the diverse successes achieved go far beyond mere crime fighting. “They reflect the dedication of AfriForum’s 177 neighborhood watches, who zealously take up the responsibility of protecting their communities on a daily basis. These successes also encompass crime prevention, training, emergency response, and strong partnerships.”
Further details regarding some recent successes follow below:
AfriForum neighbourhood watch tracks down two victims of kidnapping and hijacking ordeal
On 29 June, AfriForum’s Noord van die Berg neighbourhood watch, in collaboration with other safety partners, succeeded in tracking down two residents of Karen Park, Akasia, who had been kidnapped during a car hijacking.
At approximately 19:30, the neighbourhood watch received an emergency call via the AfriForum radio network regarding the hijacking and kidnapping of two occupants – a young man and a woman. The rapid response by the organisation and its partners ensured that the suspects could be pursued and apprehended in Soshanguve. The victims were unharmed.
The hijacked vehicle, along with another vehicle stolen earlier that week in Hermanstad (in the west of the city) and three handguns, were found in the possession of the three suspects. The suspects were arrested.
88 arrested in joint operation in Akasia and Pretoria North
A large-scale operation undertaken by AfriForum on 3 and 4 July in the north of the city, in collaboration with units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), led to the arrest of 88 people. Various AfriForum neighbourhood watches – including the Noord van die Berg, Groter Moot, Centurion, and Wes-Moot neighbourhood watches, as well as the organisation’s K9 unit – joined forces with the SAPS, the Tshwane Metro Police, the Department of Home Affairs, and the local Community Policing Forum to carry out this Operation Shanela crime prevention initiative.
During the operation, conducted at key locations in Akasia and Pretoria North, three suspects were arrested for kidnapping, and the kidnapped victim was safely located. Additionally, 41 illegal immigrants were detained, along with 34 people for drunk driving, five for drug possession, one for possession of an unlicensed firearm, and one for possession of stolen goods. Raids were also conducted on three illegal taverns in the Bon Accord and Pretoria North area and one in Soshanguve; these illegal establishments were shut down.
AfriForum proto-team tracks down stolen bakkie in bushy area outside Mokopane
On 7 July, AfriForum’s local proto-team in Mokopane (Potgietersrus) responded to reports of a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux bakkie seen in a densely bushed area outside of town.
The vehicle had been abandoned, but closer inspection revealed that the criminals were in the process of cloning the pickup. Vehicle cloning occurs when the identity of a legally registered vehicle is transferred to a stolen or illegally imported vehicle. As part of this process, number plates are copied, and the vehicle identification number (VIN) is tampered with to make the vehicle appear legal.
The bakkie was handed over to the SAPS for further investigation. No suspects were arrested.
Hijacked truck found on N12
A hijacked truck was located on the N12 near Delmas on Thursday, 9 July, by AfriForum’s Delmas Valke neighbourhood watch, the SAPS Middelburg Highway Patrol, and the local SAPS. Two suspects were arrested.
AfriForum’s neighbourhood watch played a key role in the operation, deploying a thermal drone and ground teams during the search for the hijacked truck.
Fake number plates and other relevant evidence found at the scene possibly point to the involvement of a vehicle theft syndicate.
AfriForum branch intervenes during devastating fire outside Bapsfontein
With the assistance of volunteers from AfriForum’s Greater Pretoria East branch and emergency services, damage caused by veld fires that raged in the Welbekend area outside Bapsfontein this past weekend was successfully limited. The fires destroyed an estimated 500 hectares of grazing land, but thanks to the community’s assistance in fighting the blaze, no property was damaged and no injuries were reported.
Women from Hopefield now equipped for firearm safety following training
Five women from AfriForum’s Hopefield farm watch in the Western Cape completed a two-day course in basic firearm handling this past weekend. This AfriForum course includes theoretical training, a theoretical and practical exam, and practical shooting range training under the supervision of qualified range officers.
According to Broodryk, firearms are not merely tools but entail a huge responsibility. “It is therefore critically important that every person who owns or handles a firearm receives proper training and understands and applies the principles of safe firearm handling. Training such as that undergone by this group of women builds self-confidence, promotes responsible firearm ownership, and is a valuable investment in personal safety,” he explains.
AfriForum thanks all its neighbourhood and farm watch volunteers, SAPS, emergency services, private security companies, and other stakeholders who work together to ensure the safety of communities. These successes highlight the value of active civic engagement and the power of sustained cooperation.
Join your nearest AfriForum neighbourhood watch today. Visit www.afriforumbuurtwag.co.za for more information.
