When Shadia Khan started an all-women crime patrol group in the Western Cape, little did she know that her mission to make her neighbourhood safer would one day see her responding to gang violence, shootings and abandoned babies.

Khan (49) from Hanover Park founded the Pinati Street Patrolling Committee in 2015 in response to rising crime in the area.

“Prior to starting the street patrol committee, I was involved in resolving municipal issues such as blocked stormwater drains. As crime escalated, I became increasingly concerned about the safety of the community and decided to start the group,” she says.

Today, the committee comprises 10 women.

“The patrollers include mothers, grandmothers, housewives and pensioners. When we first began our patrols, we patrolled every evening and into the night. However, because of the gang violence and shootings, the police have advised us not to patrol at night, but during the day instead.”

Safer neighbourhood

Khan says the group patrols almost every day.

“We search for missing people, respond to reports of abandoned babies and report suspicious activity in the neighbourhood to the police, all with the aim of creating a safer neighbourhood,” she explains.

Khan adds that in most instances criminals are less likely to attack an all-women patrol group than men.

“We are not armed when we go out because we do not want to further intimidate a suspect. We generally have our cellphones and call for police assistance. We are the eyes on the ground,” she says.

A single mother of two, Khan is also one of the directors of the non-profit organisation Fight Against Crime SA (Facsa), which monitors crime throughout the Western Cape.

The organisation, she adds, has a war room that includes members of the SAPS, metro police and emergency services.

Medium between communities

“I joined Fight Against Crime SA in 2024, and we work with the police and emergency services, acting as the link between communities and emergency responders throughout the Western Cape.”

She adds that the organisation’s role is important because if someone becomes a victim of crime, they may not have the time to contact the police.

“With us, all they need to do is send a text message or a voice note about the incident, and we contact our war room for help. Residents also send us tip-offs about crime. Our community groups are thoroughly vetted to ensure criminals are not part of them.”

She says her work with Facsa has opened her eyes to the severe impact of not only crime, but also the gang violence in the Western Cape.

“I have attended scenes where people I know have been killed, some shot in the head because of gang violence. We have shootings daily and, of late, more mass killings. Because of this, residents cannot leave their homes at night.”

Khan believes far more needs to be done to protect communities plagued by gang violence.

Petition against violence

Her concerns have now led her to seek help from the Human Rights Commission of South Africa.

“Parts of the Western Cape have become a war zone. Gangs are using high-calibre weapons such as AK-47s to commit crimes and killings. Residents not being safe in their own homes is an infringement of our human rights. There is also corruption within the police, with some officers shielding drug and gang leaders.”

She adds that she is in the process of starting an online petition detailing the community’s concerns, which will be submitted to the commission.

“My hope is that the petition will encourage government to act before more innocent lives are lost. We cannot continue living in fear. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home and community.”

This is the first feature in our Women’s Month series celebrating remarkable women making a difference across South Africa. Follow Caxton Network News throughout August for an inspiring story each week.

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