Blessings abound for the Buurtwag

VRYHEID Neighbourhood Watch patrollers have been hard at work looking out for the community and it seems their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

The men and women who dedicate their free time to protecting and serving Vryheid were in for a well-deserved treat last Thursday evening, as their patrollers’ meeting which took place at the SAPS Police Canteen in Heeren Street, was attended by representatives from several churches, as well as Warrant Officer Nico Grobbelaar and Colonel Alan Westermeyer of the SAPS.

Once the patrolling members in attendance had settled in, pastors from local churches, Gert Veldtman and Gerrie van der Merwe, accompanied by Kyle Stone and some of the ladies from Freedom Life Church opened the meeting with a message of thanks to the patrollers and members for their commitment to the community. This was followed by a prayer for the safety and protection of the patrolling members as they carry out their patrols and look out for the community.

Trays of eats were provided by the ladies from Freedom Life Church, as a blessing for the ‘Buurtwag’ members who attended the meeting.

Warrant Officer Nico Grobbelaar of the SAPS explained the ins and outs of the police reservist system, as well as the responsibilities and duties, and advised patrollers on the correct steps to follow should they wish to enrol as official police reservists.

Grobbelaar listed some of the criteria and requirements to become a police reservist as well as the perks that accompany these positions. To become a reservist, one must be employed, as well as being a South African citizen. Applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. Fitness is an important aspect of joining and applicants should also have a good record and character. It is important that applicants are bilingual at the very least and willing to submit fingerprints and DNA, as well as proof of address.

Successful applicants will receive training and will be afforded a great opportunity to learn about the law. Interested parties can contact Warrant Officer Nico Grobbelaar on 034 989 5814.

To conclude the meeting, Colonel Alan Westermeyer took the floor and informed the attending patrollers of current crime statistics, instructing the members that, while crime is relatively low at the moment, residential housebreak-ins in the southern part of town and Lakeside have been reported and business break-ins are taking place between 11pm and 3am in the Stretch Crescent area, with criminals gaining access to businesses through the roof.

“Gerrie van der Merwe, Gert, Kyle Stone and the ladies from the church that attended our meeting and brought us the nice food platters, thank you so much,” stated Chairman of Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch, Andrè Rheder on social media. “Also, thank you for the nice message and the kind offer. Much appreciated. This is the first time that something like this happened, and that someone gave the NHW credit for the work. I am so proud of my patrollers… Men and women of steel!”