The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Kirkwood assisted the SAPS in the early hours of 3 March in a search for suspects who had been involved in a farm attack in the area.
At around 02:30 four men armed with knives entered a farmhouse in the Kirkwood area, overwhelmed the homeowner and stabbed him with a knife. The homeowner succeeded in defending himself, however: One suspect was fatally injured, while another was possible injured. The homeowner immediately alerted members of an emergency WhatsApp group. The proto team of the local AfriForum neighbourhood watch, the SAPS and a security firm in the area reacted immediately.
It is thought that the suspects had fled in the direction of the town. One of the proto team members in the area passed three people who looked lost. He stopped next to them and two of the men got onto the back of his bakkie. The proto team member contacted the rest of the team, where after the men were arrested by the SAPS as possible suspects. It was soon after confirmed that they were indeed the suspects. A search for the third suspect was immediately launched. Farmers from the area, local SAPS members and the AfriForum neighbourhood watch participated in the search. By 15:00 there were no signs of the suspect, however. The local community worked together well and two drones and three helicopters were also used to support the search.
“Thanks you to everyone who played a part in apprehending the suspects and supporting the owner. Efficient action prevented the situation from deteriorating. This is an excellent example of effective action and what can be achieved,” says Mark Kuys, AfriForum’s Head of Safety for the southern region.
SMS “VEILIG” to 45353 if you want to join one of AfriForum’s safety structures.