AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in White River, Machadodorp, Barberton and Lydenburg, as well as the Cairn Burnside farm watch outside Nelspruit participated in AfriForum’s national patrol on 4 August in cooperation with other security institutions and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The focus was not only on combating housebreaks, but also on drug dealing and abuse. Night club owners also had to present their licences and were fined if these did not adhere to set terms; the clubs of repeat offenders are currently being closed down. Alcohol abuse in public was also targeted and offenders brought to book.
Such a patrol also serves as a show of power to show criminals that the community has had enough of crime. At the same time, it promotes relations between different safety structures.
“It is heart-warming to see the community taking control of its own safety. The SAPS needs all possible help to successfully win the battle against crime,” says Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Mpumalanga East.