The CPF patrollers in Masoyi are adamant they will continue to keep their communities safe, despite one of their colleagues being stabbed to death and two more injured.

They said they are aware of the dangers associated with their jobs.

They also said they are not fazed by what had happened to one of their own, but instead, have regrouped and strengthened their manpower to ensure criminals cannot run amok.

“We are aware that we are being targeted by criminals and some community members who are not happy with our work. However, we will continue to patrol households and bus stations, because that’s where these criminals target their victims. The festive season is under way and criminals will be out in force. We will be waiting for them while working hand in hand with the police. We don’t take the law into our own hands,” they said.

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According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, a girl had approached some Mpatseni Trust CPF patrollers on November 11, and asked them to help her retrieve her cellphone, which her 17-year-old boyfriend had taken from her by force two days prior.

They went to his house and found his mother there. When they asked her to speak to her son and convince him to hand over the phone, she allegedly locked him away in a room.

The boy managed to get out by using a spare key and pandemonium ensued as he allegedly attacked the CPF members with a knife. Two of them were rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment.

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The third patroller was declared dead on the scene.

The CPF members have called on their communities to continue supporting them as they do their job. They also sent their condolences to the family of the deceased and applauded the police for the suspect’s swift arrest.