AfriForum’s Eastern Cape structures and security stakeholders hold a mass patrol
On Friday, 9 October, AfriForum’s safety structures in the Eastern Cape conducted a joint mass patrol in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage), Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Jeffreys Bay to increase visibility and thereby improve safety. A total of 124 members of AfriForum’s neighbourhood and farm watches in these areas participated in the operation, alongside 114 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other private security services. During this mass patrol, a total distance of 2,116 km was covered by 150 vehicles.
The AfriForum structures that participated include the Mosel Neighbourhood Watch and Winterberg Farm Watch in Kariega, the Walkerdrive, Broadwood, and Springfield Neighbourhood Watches in Gqeberha, and the AfriForum Neighbourhood Watch in Jeffreys Bay.
The Walkerdrive neighbourhood watch assisted the SAPS during a roadblock, in the course of which 41 vehicles were pulled over—one of which was found to have false number plates. The neighbourhood watch also had the opportunity to conduct three realistic crime simulations—or contingency exercises—in collaboration with the SAPS. These simulations included, among other things, the tracking and arrest of a burglary suspect, the location of an abducted person, and the pursuit of a suspect vehicle containing illegal firearms.
These practical exercises aimed to test and improve neighbourhood watch members’ observation, communication, and response capabilities, as well as their cooperation with the SAPS, under simulated emergency conditions. They also highlighted the importance of clear communication, proper coordination, and adherence to safety procedures during serious criminal incidents.
Furthermore, the mass patrol aimed to strengthen visible security patrols in residential areas, deter criminal activities, and enhance the preparedness of neighbourhood watch members for actual emergency situations.
“The safety of our communities cannot be left to just one entity. This mass patrol demonstrates what is possible when communities take responsibility for their own safety and act in conjunction with the SAPS and private security role-players. The practical simulations are particularly valuable, as they offer our members the opportunity to train under realistic conditions and be better prepared when actual criminal incidents occur,” says Louis van der Vyver, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the Eastern Cape.
According to AfriForum, thorough preparation and cooperation among security stakeholders are of critical importance for effectively combating crime. Neighbourhood watches play an important supporting role by identifying suspicious activities, relaying information, and assisting the SAPS within the appropriate legal framework.
AfriForum thanks every neighbourhood watch member, SAPS member, and private security stakeholder who participated in the operation. The organisation emphasizes that the willingness of community members to dedicate their time and resources to the protection of their neighbourhoods makes an indispensable contribution to community safety.
“Our goal is not merely to respond to crime, but to help prevent it through visible patrolling, thorough preparation, and effective cooperation. The better we, as security stakeholders, can work together, the better we can protect our communities,” concludes Van der Vyver.
Join your nearest AfriForum neighbourhood watch today. Send an email to louis.vandervyver@afriforum.co.za or call him at 066 486 7611.
