Ballito Neighbourhood Watch (BNW) chairperson Morné Steffens has called for a drive to recruit more members.

Steffens expressed concern about dwindling member numbers at the annual general meeting (AGM), held at La Montagne on Wednesday evening.

“Just eight new members joined last year,” he said. “More concerning, however, is the loss of 40 members during the same period, who either moved away or decided not to renew their memberships.”

Steffens asked for increased fundraising for patrols for fuel because BNW is struggling to fill the 14 two-hour weekly patrol slots. He wants residents to increase awareness on various platforms, especially social media to gain new members.

Steffens revealed that KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) has – for the third time – denied BNW to install live monitoring cameras in Ballito’s parks. However, BNW, with the help of private residents, has come up with a solution.

“KDM said they would install live monitoring cameras last year, but nothing has happened,” he said. “We identified crime hotspots in the parks and other areas and received permission to install the cameras on private land. If we wait for KDM, we will never get cameras.”

The cameras will be paid for by the annual potjie competition funds, and used in conjunction with Saps, the security companies, Ballito UIP, and the Community Policing Forum.

BNW will continue with beach clean-ups, pet food drives, supporting Saps and KDM to monitor the beaches during the festive season, and supporting homes for the elderly.

The annual potjie competition at Townsend Park is still the biggest fundraiser. There were more than 60 competitors and about 500 people attended, raising R143 900. Other notable income comes from memberships fees.

Last year’s membership fees for the year were R30 857, and money donated for assistance with fuel for patrollers brought in R7 875. The total expenditure from February 2024 to the end of January 2025, was R133 452.

A BNW and Ward 6 CPF initiative is to formalise and register local car guards with the Saps. Steffens said BNW is working on background checks for car guards. Once fingerprinted and registered, only car guards with documentation and a badge with ID number, will be able to work in Ballito. Another point of order is educating the public on recycling to decrease the vagrants rummaging through the trash.

Umhlali Saps station commander, Colonel Fikile Xulu, attended the AGM, and read out the region’s crime statistics.

Sign up to the BNW for only R250 per year.

EFT Details Standard Bank – Ballito Account Name – Ballito Neighbourhood Watch Branch Code – 040027 Account Number – 034513159 Reference – Use Name & Surname. Please send proof of payment to treasurer@ballitonw.org.za.

Go to ballitonw.org.za for more.

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