AfriForum trains 19 more proto team members to boost crime-fighting capacity

AfriForum’s specialised response unit – known as the proto team – has expanded by 19 new members following the successful completion of the organisation’s 17th proto team training course, held this week just outside Pretoria.

The course was attended by committed volunteers from AfriForum neighbourhood watches in Moreleta Park, Centurion, Midvaal, Roodepoort, Germiston, Vereeniging and Krugersdorp.  These new recruits now form part of the frontline in AfriForum’s community-based safety network and have been trained to respond rapidly and effectively to high-risk incidents.

Proto team training covers rigorous tactical firearm handling, bleeding control and self-defence. This specialised skillset equips members with the tools they need to confront crime effectively, particularly in high-risk areas where immediate action can make all the difference.

With this intake, the total number of trained proto team members in AfriForum’s national safety network now exceeds 330.

Alongside this elite training, AfriForum also provides regular neighbourhood watch training, focusing on crucial topics such as legal frameworks, crime scene preservation, property protection and information gathering.

AfriForum currently supports 177 safety structures nationwide, powered by nearly 11 000 dedicated volunteers.

“The reality is that criminals don’t wait for the state to catch up – crime continues. That’s why we continue to train and equip proactive citizens who are prepared to defend and serve their communities when law enforcement can’t or won’t. These 19 new members are an asset in the fight to take back our streets from criminals,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

Get involved with your local AfriForum neighbourhood watch by visiting www.afriforumbuurtwag.co.za for more information.