Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

AfriForum steps up East Rand neighbourhood patrols following wave of murders

Soundbite: Yvonne Gerber (English)

AfriForum announced that it will intensify its security focus on the East Rand through increased neighbourhood watch patrols and additional safety training for community members. This announcement follows a recent wave of murders targeting women and the occurrence of other serious crimes in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.

The civil rights organisation’s seven neighbourhood watches across the East Rand – based in Kempton Park, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Alberton, Springs, and Germiston – have confirmed that their trained members will heighten their security readiness and continue collaborating with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to Yvonne Gerber, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand, news of the murders and the prevalence of serious crime in the region has left residents terrified. “The situation is serious, which is why we encourage residents not to rely solely on the authorities when it comes to their own safety. Instead, be aware of the risks and empower yourself as much as possible by taking responsibility for your own safety. Seize opportunities for safety training, remain vigilant, and get involved in organised community safety initiatives in your area,” Gerber explains.

Involvement in local organised safety structures, such as AfriForum neighbourhood watches, is indispensable, according to Gerber. “AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches are trained to identify suspicious activities and share relevant information with the appropriate authorities. In circumstances like those currently unfolding on the East Rand, the community acts as the eyes and ears that will ultimately play a critical role in preventing similar crimes and potentially even apprehending suspects,” Gerber maintains.

“We cannot predict where or when the next crime will occur, but we can ensure that our communities are better prepared. Training, vigilance, communication, and cooperation play a critical role in mitigating risks and ensuring a swift response when emergencies arise.”

Training opportunities provided by AfriForum empower community members with, among other things, the ability to better identify safety risks, utilise improved emergency communication, enhance personal safety, cultivate greater situational awareness, and correctly handle suspicious situations and emergency procedures.

“Community safety initiatives are not aimed at replacing the work of law enforcement authorities, but rather at strengthening communities’ own safety capabilities,” Gerber emphasises.

Greater awareness of personal safety does not always require formal training, according to Gerber. Her advice to residents, amidst the current wave of crime on the East Rand, is to apply the following simple safety rules:

Re-evaluate your daily safety routines.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Avoid isolated areas as far as possible.
Keep loved ones informed of your movements.
Keep emergency contacts handy.
Report suspicious persons or vehicles immediately.
Do not attempt to approach suspects yourself.

Get involved and stay safe

AfriForum calls on East Rand residents to get involved in their local safety structures, make use of safety training opportunities, and immediately share relevant information with the appropriate safety stakeholders. Contact Gerber (081 217 8579 or yvonne.gerber@afriforum.co.za) to join one of AfriForum’s East Rand neighbourhood watches.