National
- AfriForum submitted numerous protest letters of residents across the country against the president’s request – that municipalities countrywide must transport 18 000 people to the presidential inauguration in Pretoria on 25 May 2019 – at the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Pretoria. The civil rights organisation also sent a protest letter to the presidency regarding this issue.
Environmental Affairs
- AfriForum this year audited 127 landfill sites in all nine provinces as part of its national project to measure the quality of landfill sites in South Africa. Only two from seven landfill sites that were audited in the Greater Pretoria area did not comply with national standards. In terms of applicable legislation and regulations, among which the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, 2008 (Act No. 59 of 2008), a landfill site must comply with particular requirements.
- All of the branches within the Highland region participated in the landfill site audit. None of the landfill sites in this region comply with the necessary requirements. The decline of these sites is clearly visible.
- The following branches in North West executed water tests: Bloemhof, Christiana, Hertzogville, Delareyville, Sannieshof, Ottosdal, Schweizer-Reneke and Vryburg.
- AfriForum’s branches in the Northern Cape, among which those in Vaalharts and Aliwal North, participated in the organisation’s blue and green drop project.
Community Safety
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Alberton traced a stolen scooter in cooperation with the Jeppe SAPS, F&D Tactical and Afrisist Tracking.
- AfriForum’s East Rand neighbourhood watches participated in the national mass patrol, during which 6 941 km were covered by 274 patrollers.
- Various neighbourhood watches in Mpumalanga, among which those in Piet Retief, Standerton, Teks (Trichardt, Eloff, Kinross and Secunda), Delmas, Argent and Leandra, participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Orania neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol.
- AfriForum’s Elliot neighbourhood watch formed part of the national mass patrol.
- The Sasolburg neighbourhood watch participated in AfriForum’s national mass patrol, while a boat patrol was also held for the very first time together with the SAPS.
- The following neighbourhood watches in North West participated in the national mass patrol: Biesiesvlei, Christiana, Delareyville, Sannieshof, Schweizer-Reneke and Vryburg.
- In the Western Cape, 18 neighbourhood watches participated in the national mass patrol.
- In KwaZulu-Natal, six neighbourhood watches participated in the national mass patrol.
- The following neighbourhood watches in Mpumalanga participated in the national mass patrol: Middelburg, Lydenburg, Nelspruit, White River and Machadodorp.
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Apies River, Bronkhorstspruit, Hennops River Valley, Meyerspark, Moot, Moreletapark, Pretoria West, Rayton, Cullinan, Kameeldrift, Waverley and West Moot executed the civil rights watchdog’s national mass patrol in the Tshwane Metro. This patrol was held in cooperation with numerous other safety institutions, security companies, community policing forums, private neighbourhood watches and the SAPS. During this patrol, 563 patrollers from these AfriForum neighbourhood watches covered more than 8 794 km in 278 vehicles. A total of 13 incidents were reported and handled successfully.
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Vanderbijlpark, Roodepoort and Randfontein executed a national mass patrol in their respective areas in cooperation with the police, the local community policing forums, community members, various security companies and safety institutions. The neighbourhood watches participated in the patrol to increase policing visibility.
- The following Free State neighbourhood watches participated in the national mass patrol: Bethlehem, Bultfontein, Harrismith, Welkom and Winburg.
- During the national mass patrol in ??? the neighbourhood watch that patrolled the area chased two suspects and arrested them with the help of the SAPS. After further investigation it came to light that they were responsible for the theft of copper cables and that the neighbourhood watch has been on the lookout for them for a few weeks already.
- The Gamtoos Valley farm watch participated in the national mass patrol. It coincided with the initiative that were launched by the branch to compile a comprehensive safety plan for farmers in the area.
- AfriForum’s Mossel Bay branch (Greater Brandwag and Herbertsdale farm watches), as well as the Hessequa branch (Goukou farm watch) participated in the national mass patrol. Farm watch members turned up in large numbers and precious experience was gained. The Herbertsdale farm watch contributed to the arrest of a suspected drug smuggler during the mentioned patrol.
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Ellisras, Ant’s Hill, Nylstroom, Warmbaths, Tzaneen, Matlabas and Marble Hall executed a mass patrol in their respective areas in cooperation with the SAPS, community members, various security companies and safety institutions in order to increase policing visibility.
- AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Alberton, Brakpan, Germiston and Springs received anti-hijacking training that were attended by 70 members.
- AfriForum’s Alberton branch executed a successful school safety audit at the Laerskool Orion.
- AfriForum’s Kempton Park neighbourhood watch rendered medical assistance to a person who experienced pain in the chest.
- AfriForum’s Brakpan neighbourhood watch offered assistance:
- During the removal of four individuals from a drug-related house.
- During the cleaning up of two crime scenes.
- As observers at multiple voting stations on election day.
- During the access control of the Fly-Mu Airshow.
- AfriForum’s Springs branch offered air support to the SAPS during an information gathering operation with the help of the organisation’s drone.
- AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch executed a drug raid in Florida and surrounding suburbs in cooperation with other safety institutions, among which the Florida CPF, HMA High Risk Security, Bhekani Abantu Services, Moks VIP and Protection Services, Apcan Security Group and the SAPS.
- The last six of the Greater Brandwag farm watch’s twelve bulletproof vests for their proto team were handed over to them during the national mass patrol. At the same time they also received twelve orange foldable cones – equipped with LED lights for utilisation at traffic control points and other operations.
NORTHERN REGION
LIMPOPO
- AfriForum submitted a letter to COGTA in which members’ petition against the transportation of people to the presidential inauguration at municipal expense was carried across. The aim of this was to oppose the irresponsible expenditure of municipal money.
Ellisras
- Neighbourhood watches across Limpopo received Project Nehemiah training in Vaalwater near Ellisras. The aim of the training was to mobilise neighbourhood watches to subsequently protect themselves better. The modules included command and control, area protection, legal aspects, hearth and home protection, trauma counselling and the practising of information.
- AfriForum’s Ellisras branch visited the SAVF Maroelaoord on Mother’s Day to spend some time with the women; presents were also handed to them.
Marble Hall
- AfriForum’s Marble Hall neighbourhood watch assisted the Heritage Protection Group (HPG) and the police in capturing two suspects. One of the suspects was presumably involved in a farm attack in the area after a firearm that was stolen during the attack was found in his possession.
Tzaneen
- The civil rights organisation AfriForum established the Duiwelskloof neighbourhood watch close to Tzaneen in the Soutpansberg district. The establishment took place after the community’s decision to organise and mobilise themselves against crime in the area.
Phalaborwa
- Members of AfriForum’s Phalaborwa branch cleaned up the local cemetery as part of Project Clean Resting Place that was launched in the town. It is aimed at cleaning up the cemetery and leaving it in a better overall state.
GAUTENG
- AfriForum submitted a letter to the Tshwane Metro on 14 May 2019 and placed them on terms to institute a restriction regarding the number of fish that can be caught in the Bon Accord Dam using nets, as well as to take action against the illegal squatters around the dam.
- AfriForum submitted commentary against the proposed prospecting activities of a planned mine on the farm Doornpoort 259JR.
Vanderbijlpark
- AfriForum’s Vanderbijlpark branch received confirmation that the Emfuleni Local Municipality has at long last made available trucks again for refuse removal.
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Vanderbijlpark executed a safety action in cooperation with the police. A total of 14 people participated in the raid and spent 84 man-hours at the control points. These control points were as follows: Beethoven and Delius Streets (Butcher Boys), Rossini Boulevard and William Nicol Street (Stonehaven).
Roodepoort
- Ten members of AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch and the Roodepoort Charlie neighbourhood watch received first-aid training up until first-aid level 3. These members will also in the meantime move alongside emergency service personnel in the vicinity to gain practical experience.
- AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch rendered assistance after a car accident in Ontdekkers Road close to Beacon Street.
- AfriForum’s Roodepoort branch participated in a joint raid under the leadership of the SAPS (Florida, West Rand K9, Tshwane, Sedibeng and TRT) and cracked down on illegal mining activities in cooperation with community policing forums, safety institutions and security companies.
Springs
- AfriForum’s Springs branch held a meeting with the mayoral committee member of the municipality concerning service delivery issues.
Benoni
- AfriForum’s Benoni branch cut grass and cleaned up the area surrounding the Academic College of the SAPS.
Brakpan
- AfriForum’s Brakpan branch launched a clean-up action and cut the grass at the Tweedy Park old-age home.
- AfriForum’s Brakpan branch presented an information evening for community members regarding election day and proactive participation.
Edenvale
- The civil rights organisation AfriForum’s Edenvale branch held annual general meeting and also elected a new management.
Germiston
- The AfriForum branch in Germiston launched a mass clean-up action in the Primrose area.
- After continuous pressure by AfriForum’s Germiston branch, various streets in this area were tarred, building refuse was removed and open areas were cleaned up.
Waverley
- AfriForum’s East Moot neighbourhood watch executed various safety operations in the Waverley area during the month of May.
MPUMALANGA
Standerton
- AfriForum’s Standerton branch repaired water pipes after thousands of litres of clean drinking water drained off and were subsequently lost.
White River
- The White River neighbourhood watch traced stolen nuts worth more than R140 000.
CENTRAL REGION
NORTH WEST
Vryburg
- The AfriForum branch in Vryburg started cleaning up Stellaland Park.
Christiana
- The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Christiana held a mass patrol.
Schweizer-Reneke
- The AfriForum branch in Schweizer-Reneke was involved with the settlement of a dispute with taxi owners regarding stopovers.
Lichtenburg
- The AfriForum branch in Lichtenburg cleaned up the street and parking area in front of the CVO Skool in Lichtenburg in cooperation with the school. Kerb stones, dotted lines, parking lines and two speedhumps were among others newly painted over.
Orkney
- AfriForum’s Orkney neighbourhood watch participated in the national mass patrol in cooperation with the SAPS, various security companies, the fire brigade, as well as other emergency services.
Klerksdorp
- The Klerksdorp branch replaced various stop signs in Doringkruin after the community complained for quite a while about the missing stop signs.
Potchefstroom
- The branch repaired more than 600 potholes in the town, while they also newly painted road markings in front of various schools to promote road safety.
Ventersdorp
- AfriForum’s Ventersdorp branch received a donation consisting of safety cameras that will be installed at the local old-age home to subsequently promote safety and combat crime.
Stilfontein
- AfriForum’s Stilfontein branch cleaned up a lawn at the entrance to Kowie Street seeing as this area was in dire need of attention.
Wolmaransstad
- The Wolmaransstad branch involved the community in various projects that were launched in the town with the aim of once again cleaning and tidying up the streets. Numerous loads of refuse were driven away in the process.
Hartbeesfontein
- AfriForum’s Hartbeesfontein branch participated in the national mass patrol during which 26 fines worth R35 000 were issued.
FREE STATE
Sasolburg
- The Sasolburg branch launched a clean-up action at the local cemetery and many bags of refuse were also driven away.
- The branch continued to clean up various public parks in Sasolburg and Vaalpark while they also cut the grass.
- The branch replaced numerous non-functional streetlights in Sasolburg and Vaalpark.
Heilbron
- The branch became involved in a pothole project in the town which led to the filling up of hundreds of potholes to subsequently promote road safety.
Bethlehem
- The Hawks arrested the municipal manager of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality and the head of a security company after AfriForum laid criminal charges.
- AfriForum’s Bethlehem branch removed illegal informal businesses in the town in cooperation with the local traffic department. These businesses are illegal because permits were not issued to them to conduct business in the area.
Bultfontein
- AfriForum’s Bultfontein branch assisted in tracing a stolen vehicle and returning it to the owner. The police informed the chairperson of the branch of the stolen vehicle, after which he informed the neighbourhood watch and other sectors. After intensive patrols the vehicle was traced and returned to the owner. The vehicle is worth R350 000.
- During the national mass patrol, AfriForum’s Bultfontein neighbourhood watch pulled over and searched 91 vehicles, while they also handled 21 traffic incidents worth R6 700.
KWAZULU-NATAL
Newcastle
- AfriForum’s Newcastle branch held a meeting with the Newcastle Local Municipality.
Vryheid
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch presented basic first-aid training for community members.
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch held a meeting with Nersa to discuss electricity related problems.
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch placed pressure on the municipality to extinguish the fire at the local landfill site.
- AfriForum’s Vryheid branch assisted in cracking down on rhino poachers.
Margate
- The youth portfolio of AfriForum’s Margate branch cleaned up beaches.
- AfriForum’s Margate branch held a meeting with their local SAPS management.
Hluhluwe
- AfriForum’s Hluhluwe branch erected stop signs at dangerous crossings.
Pongola
- AfriForum’s Pongola branch held numerous proactive patrols to safeguard their community.
Paulpietersburg
- AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg branch presented basic first-aid courses for the local community.
- AfriForum’s Paulpietersburg branch approached the Green Scorpions regarding the smouldering landfill site.
Utrecht
- AfriForum’s Utrecht branch exerted pressure on the municipality concerning water related problems.
- AfriForum’s Utrecht branch held a meeting with the municipal manager.
SOUTHERN REGION
NORTHERN CAPE
Hopetown
- AfriForum’s Hopetown branch took milk tarts to the Silwerhof old-age home as part of Republic Day.
Prieska
- AfriForum established a branch in Prieska.
- AfriForum’s Prieska branch took milk tarts to the residents of the Fran du Toit old-age home and spent some time with them as part of “Do you remember Republic Day”.
Kimberley
- AfriForum’s Kimberley branch took koeksisters to the residents of the Stillerwee old-age home as part of Republic Day.
- AfriForum’s Kimberley branch took koeksisters to the residents of Ons Huis (ACVV) as part of Republic Day.
- AfriForum’s Kimberley branch directed a letter to the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality regarding the IDP budget that wasn’t made public.
Vaalharts
- AfriForum’s Vaalharts branch held a morning tea at Huis Andelusia as part of Republic Day.
- AfriForum’s Vaalharts branch held an afternoon tea at Huis Theresa as part of Republic Day.
- AfriForum’s Vaalharts branch placed continuous pressure on the provincial offices and succeeded in having road signs erected.
EASTERN CAPE
Aliwal North
- AfriForum’s Aliwal North branch held a meeting with the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality regarding the budget that was presented.
- AfriForum’s Aliwal North branch arranged a meeting with the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality regarding poor service delivery.
- AfriForum’s Aliwal North branch participated in the IDP process.
- AfriForum’s Aliwal North branch donated 1 000 bags of silage to farmers in Springbok.
Elliot
- AfriForum’s Elliot branch held a meeting with the municipality regarding poor service delivery.
- AfriForum’s Elliot branch had the road leading to the landfill site cleaned up thanks to continued pressure on the municipality.
- AfriForum’s Elliot branch erected indication boards at the landfill site.
WESTERN CAPE
Cape Town North
- After the national mass patrol, members of AfriForum’s Bellville neighbourhood watch, in cooperation with Oakdale Watch, cleaned up a section of the Oakdale neighbourhood in Bellville by picking up litter. The clean-up action was initiated by Oakdale Watch. During a recent fire in Oakdale, Johan Fritz, Coordinator of AfriForum’s Bellville neighbourhood watch, also rendered assistance. Neighbourhood watch members reacted quickly, contacted emergency services and helped where necessary.
Mossel Bay
- The proto teams of the Greater Brandwag and Herbertsdale farm watches once again received their free monthly refresher training presented by Tiger Kai Krav Maga.
- The Greater Brandwag farm watch held an extremely successful farm eviction exercise in cooperation with the SAPS and Tiger Kai.
George
- Thanks to the assistance of the George branch’s management, AfriForum concluded its #AnchorTownRoadShow in George. A wide variety of activities were tackled and concluded, and received great media exposure. Furthermore it was successful in achieving the aim of making the community of George aware of the value that AfriForum members are adding to their communities.
Hessequa
- The Goukou farm watch was instrumental in arresting five people for the theft of cell phone tower batteries. The passengers of two suspicious vehicles were also arrested in Riversdale. A total of 18 batteries were found in their possession.