NORTHERN REGION
LIMPOPO
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Ellisras, Nylstroom, Warmbaths, Tzaneen, Matlabas and Marble Hall executed a mass patrol in their respected areas in cooperation with the SAPS, community members, various security companies and safety institutions in order to improve policing visibility.
Ellisras
- Members of AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Ellisras and Matlabas received advanced training in ten different categories that stretch from basic hand-to-hand combat and arrestation techniques to how to approach a vehicle. This training forms part of the benefits offered to its members by AfriForum and also empowers neighbourhood watch patrollers to act correctly and within the framework of the law, as well as to protect themselves in emergency situations.
- The civil rights organisation AfriForum established the Ant’s Hill farm watch close to Ellisras in the Waterberg district. The formation took place after the conclusion of the community’s decision to organise and mobilise themselves against crime in the area.
Tzaneen
- Members of AfriForum’s Tzaneen branch transported 500 litres of water to old-age homes that had to do without water on Human Rights Day seeing as they didn’t have any access to running water. The branch donated 100 5 litre water dispensers to the El Natan, Goue Jare and God’s Haven old-age homes.
Thabazimbi South
- AfriForum established the Thabazimbi South branch, which includes Leeupoort, Kromdraai, Rooiberg and Koedoeskop. The branch was established with the aim of supporting these communities with issues pertaining to community safety, local government affairs, environmental affairs and youth.
Naboomspruit
- The AfriForum branch in Naboomspruit kicked off 2019 by launching a pothole project. Approximately 194 potholes have been filled up during the year.
- The AfriForum branch in Naboomspruit launched various projects to enliven the town. These projects include planting candelabra trees at the entrances to the town, filling up potholes in the city centre, as well as repairing a water pump and borehole pump that broke down.
- AfriForum has impounded approximately 150 cattle on a farm near Vaalwater in cooperation with other organisations and authorities. This action followed after a farmers’ fencing and chains were cut to force this cattle in for grazing, after which the farmer was informed by the trespasser that the land belongs to the state and was appropriated to the trespasser.
GAUTENG
- The following Gauteng South branches participated in the national landfill site audit project: Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Heidelberg, Meyerton, Westonaria, Krugersdorp, Roodepoort and Randfontein.
- Various AfriForum neighbourhood watches in the Vaal Triangle and on the West Rand participated in the national mass patrol, among which Vanderbijlpark, Roodepoort and Randfontein. These neighbourhood watches executed mass patrols in their respected areas in cooperation with the SAPS, the local CPF’s, community members, various security companies and safety institutions.
- AfriForum’s East Rand branches launched a project to oppose the proposed name changes of various streets and buildings on the East Rand.
- AfriForum intensified Project Nehemiah – a strategy against violent crime that has already been rolled out on the East Rand – by presenting training in five modules to approximately 200 members.
- AfriForum’s East Rand neighbourhood watches participated in the national mass patrol in order to intensify policing visibility.
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Alberton, Brakpan, Germiston and Springs received training in legal aspects. Approximately 55 patrollers participated in the training.
- As part of World Wetlands Day, AfriForum cleaned up the wetland in the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve. The recent heavy rain showers washed down heaps of rubbish in the stormwater channels that were carried by the spruit into the wetland. Approximately ten bags of rubbish were picked up during the action.
- After a three-year long court case, the Tshwane Metro had no other choice but to reach a settlement agreement with AfriForum regarding maintenance and repairs at the Rooiwal sewage works.
- AfriForum kicked off its #AnchorTownRoadShow in Botha Avenue, Centurion during which the organisation’s personnel and community members cleaned up this street by picking up rubbish. Approximately 150 bags of rubbish were ultimately removed.
- AfriForum handed over a memorandum to a representative of the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform in which the organisation sets out its objections against a massive residential land claim in Centurion.
- AfriForum proceeded with its #AnchorTownRoadShow at a massive veldt on the corner of Villebois Mareuil Drive and Delmas Road in Moreletapark. Approximately 200 bags of rubbish were ultimately removed.
- AfriForum planted trees at the Wollies Animal Project in Pretoria North. The civil rights organisation also collected food and toys for the animals and sponsored 200 leashes. This project formed part of AfriForum’s #AnchorTownRoadShow, which is aimed at creating hope in our communities.
- Various AfriForum neighbourhood watches in the Tshwane Metro participated in the national mass patrol. The neighbourhood watches in the Apies River Valley, Bronkhorstspruit, Hennops River Valley, Moot, Meyerspark, Pretoria West and West Moot were involved with the national patrol in cooperation with many other safety institutions, security companies and the police. A total of 15 AfriForum neighbourhood watches and 241 patrollers participated in the patrol. More than 3 215 km were covered in 156 vehicles in 276 man-hours. No incidents were reported.
- AfriForum audited all the landfill sites in the Tshwane Metro as part of the civil rights organisation’s countrywide landfill site audit project.
Roodepoort
- AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch reached new heights during its monthly crime prevention patrols and mass patrols that were held.
- AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch received training in emergency blood control and accident scene management that were presented by the Stop the Blood organisation and the SAPS respectively.
Vereeniging
- AfriForum’s Vereeniging branch has put its shoulder to the wheel regarding repairs in Langrand Road in the city in cooperation with DRC Labour Hire and Bambanani Garden Services.
Randfontein
- AfriForum’s Randfontein branch achieved success in a worrying case that has dragged on for the past two years.
Bronkhorstspruit
- AfriForum’s Bronkhorstspruit-Arbor Road neighbourhood watch restored a hijacked truck to its owner.
Kempton Park
- AfriForum’s Kempton Park branch introduced a new double cab bakkie and trailer.
- The youth wing of AfriForum’s Kempton Park branch launched a sustainable owl house project as part of its 2019 projects.
- AfriForum’s branch management and youth portfolio in Kempton Park filled up potholes in the town on Human Rights Day.
- AfriForum’s Kempton Park branch launched a street name board project which entails replacing various boards in and around Kempton Park.
- AfriForum’s Kempton Park branch launched a fire hydrant project in order to audit fire hydrants as safety requirement for the area.
- AfriForum’s Kempton Park neighbourhood watch offered assistance:
- To a security company during a knife-related incident with robbers.
- During a break-in on a premises close to the Rhodesfield Gautrain station.
- During four car accidents, while they enforced crowd and vehicle control.
- During the confiscation of dagga after a complaint was received from the community.
- During the tracking down of a hijacked double cab bakkie.
- During an incident where a family’s vehicle caught fire and the neighbourhood watch arranged medical assistance, the fire brigade and counselling for the family of five.
- To ER24 and a security company during an incident where dogs attacked three children. The dogs were handed over to the SPCA.
Alberton
- AfriForum’s Alberton reaction unit traced a stolen vehicle in cooperation with the Katlehong North SAPS, EMPD, Reaper Tactical Security and the Alberton Community Responders.
Springs
- AfriForum’s Springs branch submitted claims to the Department of Health concerning the rubbish-related problem in the town that is not being resolved.
- AfriForum’s Endicott farm watch offered assistance to the SAPS during riots in the community regarding discontent concerning housing and the newly-proposed mine.
Brakpan
- AfriForum’s Brakpan neighbourhood watch offered support during the cleaning up of an accident scene.
- AfriForum’s Brakpan neighbourhood watch offered assistance during two arrests.
Germiston
- AfriForum’s Germiston branch cut various reed bushes in the Lambton area.
- After continuous pressure by AfriForum’s Germiston branch, streetlights were replaced and trees were pruned in the Elsburg area, while streets in the Estera area were also tarred.
Waverley
- The AfriForum branch in Waverley repainted unclear road signs surrounding schools. This action formed part of AfriForum’s #AnchorTownRoadShow, which was launched to tidy up towns. AfriForum repainted all the road signs – which largely include stop streets – surrounding the Hoërskool Oos-Moot and the Laerskool Wonderboom-Suid in cooperation with the community. Roundabouts and speed humps in Codonia Avenue were also repainted.
- AfriForum’s Waverley and Moot youth structures launched a clean-up action in the Waverley and Moot areas. The youth structure has – with the help of the community – cleaned up Codonia Avenue in Waverley (mainly in front of Checkers) by picking up rubbish.
Apies River
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch members of the Apies River Valley participated in a mass patrol. Approximately 118 neighbourhood watch members covered approximately 2 640 km during the patrol.
MPUMALANGA
White River
- AfriForum’s White River neighbourhood watch offered assistance on various accident scenes.
- AfriForum’s White River neighbourhood watch presented a function during which patrollers were thanked for their hard work and perseverance.
- AfriForum’s White River neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol in cooperation with the Cairn-Burnside farm watch and the Nelspruit Concerned Citizens.
Nelspruit
- AfriForum’s Cairn-Burnside farm watch offered assistance during accidents.
- The youth wing of AfriForum’s Nelspruit branch completed a do-it-yourself action at Pro Gratia School.
- AfriForum’s Cairn-Burnside farm watch participated in the national mass patrol in cooperation with AfriForum’s White River neighbourhood watch and Nelspruit Concerned Citizens.
Bethal
- AfriForum’s Bethal branch completed a successful do-it-yourself project and used 240 bags of tar to fill up potholes in Blesbok and Ribbok Streets.
- The AfriForum branch cut grass next to the N17 highway in Bethal.
- AfriForum’s Bethal branch cut grass in the park in Hoëveld Avenue.
- The AfriForum branch cut grass at the local police station.
- AfriForum’s Bethal branch erected Chevron boards on the corner of Du Plooy and Kieser Streets.
- Bethal’s AfriForum branch cleaned up the Nestlé triangle and cut grass.
- AfriForum’s Bethal branch appointed a contractor to clear out rubbish bins in the central business district.
Machadodorp
- Machadodorp’s AfriForum neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
Lydenburg
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Lydenburg participated in the national mass patrol.
Middelburg
- Middelburg’s AfriForum neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
Piet Retief
- AfriForum’s Piet Retief neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- The Piet Retief branch launched a petition concerning the abuse of liquor in public parks.
Standerton
- AfriForum’s Standerton branch supplied water to the Standerton community seeing as there was no water in the neighbourhoods.
- AfriForum’s Standerton branch manned a water point during the Goldi Marathon.
- AfriForum’s Standerton neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- The youth portfolio of the Standerton branch cleaned up the Voetspore Monument.
Teks (Trichardt, Evander, Kinross and Secunda)
- AfriForum’s Teks neighbourhood watch participated in a visibility patrol in cooperation with the SAPS.
- AfriForum’s Teks branch in March cleaned up and cut grass in various green zones.
- AfriForum’s Teks neighbourhood watch assisted at accident scenes to regulate traffic.
- The youth wing of AfriForum’s Teks branch repainted road signs in front of a school in Evander in order to subsequently improve visibility for road users.
- AfriForum’s Teks neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Teks branch was of assistance at Davieshof by painting a room and making it pretty.
Delmas
- AfriForum’s Delmas and Eloff neighbourhood watches, as well as the Argent farm watch participated in the national mass patrol.
Ermelo
- AfriForum’s Ermelo branch manned a marketing stand at the Ermelo Show and also launched a petition regarding the potholes in Ermelo.
- The Ermelo branch helped the Ermelo old-age home to scatter lime where a sewage line was blocked to cover up the foul smell.
CENTRAL REGION
NORTH WEST
- The following AfriForum neighbourhood watches participated in the national mass patrol: Bloemhof, Christiana, Delareyville, Schweizer-Reneke, Biesiesvlei and Vryburg.
- The following neighbourhood watches in the Marico district participated in the national mass patrol in cooperation with the SAPS and security companies: Rustenburg, Coligny, Koster (Millvale) and Mooinooi.
- Various AfriForum branches in the Marico district participated in the landfill site audit project: Koster, Zeerust, Rustenburg, Lichtenburg, Mooinooi and Coligny.
- The neighbourhood watches in Bloemhof, Christiana and Schweizer-Reneke assisted in demarcating roads and spreading information after an armed robbery in Wolmaransstad.
Vryburg
- The youth wing of the AfriForum branch in Vryburg saw off tree branches that were in front of stop signs.
Christiana
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Christiana assisted the fire brigade in extinguishing various fires.
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Christiana helped remove illegal sleepers from a deserted house.
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Cristiana assisted the SAPS with the arrest of a kidnapper.
Bloemhof
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Bloemhof helped with the arrest of a kidnapper.
Hertzogville
- The AfriForum branch in Hertzogville manned a stand at the local agricultural show.
Rustenburg
- The Rustenburg leg of AfriForum’s #AnchorTownRoadShow kicked off with a clean-up action. The local branch cleaned up the public swimming pool, as well as Marais, Kruger, Boshoff and Church Streets in cooperation with municipal workers.
- AfriForum’s Rustenburg branch made the most of their time during week 1 of the #AnchorTownRoadShow. AfriForum presented the anti-bullying campaign at the Laerskool Rustenburg and the Laerskool Vastrap. At the same time delicious pizzas were bought and delivered to a local business.
- The Rustenburg branch cut the grass in Kremetart Avenue and visited municipal flats in Church Street during the #AnchorTownRoadShow.
- Potholes were filled up in Rustenburg during phase 1 of the #AnchorTownRoadShow. AfriForum filled up these potholes in cooperation with Mongola Trading Enterprises in Rustenburg.
- The Rustenburg branch filled up potholes during phase 2 of the #AnchorTownRoadShow, while they also visited municipal flats in Kremetart Avenue. The Rustenburg branch purchased a total of 500 bags of tar that were used during the process of filling up the potholes.
FREE STATE
Leeuwberg
- AfriForum’s Leeuwberg branch was recently established. It is the ninth branch and neighbourhood watch that were established in Bloemfontein.
Pellissier
- AfriForum’s Pellissier neighbourhood watch executed an arrest on a suspect that stole money and tried to escape.
Bethlehem
- AfriForum’s Bethlehem branch presented self-defence classes for women. The first two classes included anti-rape training.
- The Bethlehem branch took the initiative to start filling up the town’s potholes themselves. This project stretched over two days during which 1 388 potholes were filled up. The branch could no longer stand by and watch the deterioration of the town’s roads and therefore decided to launch this action themselves to improve the roads in the town.
- After continuous pressure by the Bethlehem branch, the municipality closed the landfill site near the Morelig neighbourhood.
Welkom
- AfriForum’s Welkom branch and the Sand River neighbourhood watch cooperated quite well with other security firms and the SAPS. A total of nearly 5 000 km were covered during which seven arrests were made.
Harrismith
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Harrismith offered support to the metro police during the national mass patrol. During one incident, a truck drove on the wrong side of the highway and as such presented a big danger to oncoming traffic. The neighbourhood watch stopped the truck and assisted it until the metro police arrived.
Frankfort
- The AfriForum branch in Frankfort decided to clean up the cemetery and make it decent again.
Bultfontein
- AfriForum’s Bultfontein branch and neighbourhood watch worked closely with the police and other role-players in the community during the national mass patrol. During the patrol, 38 arrests were made and 49 traffic incidents were handled.
KWAZULU-NATAL
- AfriForum branches in KwaZulu-Natal held a discussion with the provincial SAPS regarding the issue concerning stray cattle on the province’s roads.
- AfriForum branches in KwaZulu-Natal mobilised 34 communities to participate in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum branches in KwaZulu-Natal discussed a case of corruption with the Hawks.
Newcastle
- AfriForum’s Newcastle branch mobilised the community against abnormal valuation increase.
- AfriForum’s Newcastle branch executed a landfill site audit while they also prepared charges for the municipality concerning sewage spillage.
Vryheid
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch regularly holds patrols to safeguard the town and surrounding areas.
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch executed a landfill site audit.
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch offered basic first-aid training to its patrollers.
Margate
- AfriForum’s Margate branch performed a landfill site audit while also cleaning up beaches.
Richards Bay
- AfriForum’s Richards Bay branch performed neighbourhood watch planning.
Hluhluwe
- AfriForum’s Hluhluwe branch participated in various area safeguarding operations in cooperation with the local SAPS.
- AfriForum’s Hluhluwe branch executed a landfill site audit.
Pongola
- AfriForum’s Pongola branch executed a landfill site audit.
- AfriForum’s Pongola branch participated in various proactive patrols to safeguard their area.
Paulpietersburg
- AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg branch executed a landfill site audit and discussed the state of the landfill site with the municipality, after which it was decided that the branch will act as an external auditor for the landfill site.
- AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg branch held various patrols to safeguard their area.
Utrecht
- AfriForum’s Utrecht branch executed a landfill site audit.
SOUTHERN REGION
NORTHERN CAPE
Kuruman
- AfriForum’s Kuruman neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Kuruman branch implemented systems that send out SMS’s if the electricity powering water pumps is off.
Kathu
- AfriForum’s Kathu neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol, while they also held a night market at the same time as the patrol.
- AfriForum’s Kathu branch submitted a PAIA application to request the qualifications of senior officials.
Keimoes
- AfriForum’s Keimoes neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Keimoes branch held a meeting with the municipal manager.
- AfriForum’s Keimoes branch received training in legal aspects.
Upington
- The youth wing of AfriForum’s Upington branch cleaned up the Orange River in cooperation with Sakkie se Arkie.
- AfriForum’s Upington neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
Springbok
- AfriForum’s Springbok neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Springbok branch requested the qualifications of the technical head.
Douglas
- AfriForum established a branch in Douglas.
- AfriForum’s Douglas branch participated in the national mass patrol.
Orania
- AfriForum’s Orania branch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Orania branch assisted in bringing suspects to book.
- AfriForum’s Orania branch elected a new management.
Kimberley
- AfriForum’s Kimberley branch held a safety meeting with public participation.
- AfriForum’s Kimberley branch participated in the national mass patrol.
Vaalharts
- AfriForum’s Vaalharts branch donated fodder to farmers in Strydenburg and Olifantshoek.
- AfriForum’s Vaalharts branch renovated and moved a monument.
- AfriForum’s Vaalharts branch participated in the national mass patrol.
Williston
- AfriForum’s Williston branch held a meeting with the district head responsible for roads.
EASTERN CAPE
Aliwal North
- AfriForum’s Aliwal North branch donated three truck loads of fodder to farmers in the Aggenys and Springbok regions.
- AfriForum’s Aliwal North branch elected a new management.
Port Elizabeth
- The Port Elizabeth branch held a community meeting with Ernst Roets as guest speaker. Issues such as the current political climate, AfriForum’s impact, as well as farm murders were discussed. It was an extremely successful event that was presented in an excellent manner.
Patensie
- Ernst Roets also visited the community of Patensie. The meeting was arranged by the Patensie branch and attendance was very good. This meeting once again proved that regular interaction with the community provides momentum when a branch needs to be established.
Jeffreys Bay
- Due to a full schedule, the branch could only mange to arrange a short conversation and interaction between Ernst Roets and the branch management. Interesting questions were asked during the session and it was described as an enriching and motivational experience.
Elliot
- AfriForum’s Elliot branch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Elliot branch assisted in tracing a hijacked vehicle.
- Continued pressure by AfriForum’s Elliot branch resulted in Elliot again gaining access to water after protestors broke the pumps.
WESTERN CAPE
Cape Town North
- AfriForum’s Brackenfell and Bellville neighbourhood watches executed patrols in their respective areas in order to intensify policing visibility.
- AfriForum’s Bellville and Brackenfell neighbourhood watches sent 12 selected members on a ten-week long self-defence course. This course is presented in cooperation with COBRA Self-Defence Academy.
Kraaifontein
- AfriForum’s Kraaifontein neighbourhood watch executed patrols in their respective areas in cooperation with community members, Landry Securitas, Capital Security Services, C-Max Security Services and ADT Security Services in order to intensify policing visibility.
Vredendal
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood and farm watches in the Matzikama district executed a patrol in their respective areas in cooperation with the SAPS and traffic departments to increase policing visibility. The farm watches in Lutzville, Koekenaap, Nuwerus, Vredendal, Kleinrivier and Trawal, as well as the Lutzville neighbourhood watch participated in the patrol.
Overstrand
- AfriForum’s Alfa neighbourhood watch, which forms part of the civil rights organisation’s Overstrand branch, received training in legal aspects applicable to patrols.
- AfriForum’s Alfa neighbourhood watch in the Overstrand was of assistance during a car crash at the Sandbaai intersection in which two people were injured.
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in the Overstrand executed a patrol in their respective areas in cooperation with the SAPS, Safe Security Systems and Secma International Security in order to intensify policing visibility. The Alfa, Voëlklip and Greater Gansbaai neighbourhood watches also participated in the patrol.
Malmesbury
- AfriForum’s Rondeberg neighbourhood watch, which forms part of the organisation’s Malmesbury branch, cooperated with the police to safeguard its community as part of AfriForum’s national mass patrol. Rondeberg’s private K9 unit was also involved.
Mossel Bay
- The Mossel Bay branch of AfriForum held an extremely successful info session with Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist of the Efficient Group. It was attended by approximately 200 people and especially promoted a good attitude towards AfriForum.
Oudtshoorn
- AfriForum’s Oudtshoorn branch initiated a forum where various interest groups from the community could meet up with the municipal management and subsequently discuss issues of mutual interest. The conversation was followed up with a letter to Minister Bredell of the Western Cape provincial government and the general feeling is that good progress is being made in the building of relationships.
Worcester
- AfriForum’s Worcester neighbourhood watch, which forms part of the organisation’s Worcester branch, received training in legal aspects applicable to patrols.
- AfriForum’s Worcester neighbourhood watch safeguarded Worcester and surrounding areas as part of a national mass patrol launched by AfriForum.
Velddrif
- AfriForum’s Velddrif neighbourhood watch safeguarded the town and surrounding areas in cooperation with other role-players as part of AfriForum’s national mass patrol.