AfriForum\u2019s Kempton Park neighbourhood watch met with Councillor JP Smith, the City of Cape Town\u2019s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, on Thursday evening, 17 September, to exchange knowledge and practical experience on community safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussion took place against the backdrop of serious safety challenges in Kempton Park and surrounding areas. Earlier this month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) issued a safety warning after the bodies of four women were found in the Kempton Park area within a period of approximately two months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 17 September, it had been reported that the bodies of nine women had been found in different parts of Ekurhuleni. The SAPS established a multidisciplinary task team to investigate the cases and determine whether there is any connection between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussion with Smith focused on the management of neighbourhood watches, cooperation with law-enforcement agencies, and practical ways in which organised communities can strengthen local safety. The meeting was also attended by Khathutshelo Rasilingwane MPL, the Democratic Alliance\u2019s 2026 mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith shared his experience of community safety, neighbourhood-watch structures and cooperation between communities and law-enforcement agencies. In turn, AfriForum\u2019s Kempton Park neighbourhood watch discussed the local safety challenges and the neighbourhood watch\u2019s experience in promoting community safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommunity safety knows no municipal boundaries. There is value in communities sharing practical experience and learning from initiatives that have been implemented elsewhere. This engagement provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge on neighbourhood watches, community involvement and cooperation between relevant safety structures. We appreciate Councillor Smith\u2019s willingness to share his experience and would like to identify relevant approaches that could contribute to a safer Kempton Park,\u201d says Ernest Hoddinott, Head of Safety at AfriForum\u2019s Kempton Park branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape Town already has established structures for cooperation with communities. Earlier in September, the City hosted its annual information session for neighbourhood watches, attended by 101 neighbourhood watches and 250 participants. The session focused, among other things, on the role of neighbourhood watches, safe reporting, information sharing and cooperation with the City\u2019s law-enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City also recently opened its new Joint Public Safety Operations Centre (JPSOC) in Goodwood. This centre brings the City\u2019s policing resources and safety technology together in one location to improve the coordination of operational activities and responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AfriForum\u2019s Kempton Park neighbourhood watch will further explore the relevant lessons from the discussions and will continue to strengthen its cooperation with local safety stakeholders and law-enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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