A community effort to clean and secure Bromhof’s post boxes has hit an early setback, after the newly fitted lock was burnt off within hours of the clean-up.
Organisers, however, say they are pressing ahead regardless, with a stronger lock now in place and residents being asked to help keep watch. Community Heroes, together with local businesses and security companies, first gathered at the post boxes to clean the site and fit security measures, after residents raised ongoing concerns about the area on various community platforms.

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Nikki Belt, who helped organise the clean-up, said the idea came about after Alison Laxton, who assists her on the Community Heroes groups, brought the issue to her attention. “Alison saw everybody on the councillor groups and the crime groups and in Community Heroes moaning about the state of this area.”

She said the team pulled together a plan, with several organisations getting involved, including Mandy Allan, from Meridian, Shane van de Westhuizen, from Action SA, and SB Security, while Aqua provided water for volunteers, and Del Fornos supplied pizza for those on site.

Belt said the plan included fitting barbed wire and a lock, with keys given to residents who need access. “It’s just been nice for more people wanting to not only clean but secure places.”

Van de Westhuizen, who was also on site, said the post boxes had been taken over by vagrants and needed urgent attention. “Unfortunately, we just need to, as a community, stand up and work together to try clean up and take back our community.” He said the goal was not to shut residents out, but to stop the space being taken over again.

That goal was tested almost immediately. Laxton said the break-in was discovered at around 09:40 on August 2 by Van de Westhuizen, with the lock burnt off and mattresses left inside the post boxes once more.

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Laxton appealed to residents to stay alert. “We have to be persistent if these guys are going to get the message that they aren’t welcome. I need eyes. That’s all.” She added that two men in particular had shown they were reluctant to give up the space.

SB Security has since fitted a stronger lock and increased patrols in the area. Laxton said the matter is being treated as a community issue for now, with police involvement being considered once enough evidence has been gathered. “One of the things we are required to do is to find pictures of the vagrants actually breaking into the property or using drug paraphernalia, that would be required to open a case with SAPS, but we are monitoring the situation and building evidence to take it further.”

She confirmed the ward councillor has been kept informed, and has access to all updates shared in the community groups. Laxton asked residents to report anything suspicious to SB Security, or through the Community Heroes WhatsApp groups. “When we say we need eyes, we are asking residents to please get in touch with SB Security, or on the community heroes WhatsApp groups for the community. Just state that they have seen something suspicious or that the vagrants are attempting to move back into the post office area.”

Despite the setback, organisers plan to keep expanding the initiative. Belt said the aim is to move section by section across Bromhof until the whole neighbourhood looks presentable, explaining that a clean area is easier to keep clean and easier to monitor. “If we get it clean, it’s easier to keep it clean. When it’s clean, if something doesn’t belong, it sticks out.”

Laxton confirmed the next clean-up is planned for September, funding permitting. “We are going to try and do another clean-p once a month, so hopefully in September again, or as needed.”

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