Mams CPF launches winter safety programme
The programme will see group patrols take place in Mamelodi to avoid the community falling victim to crime.
With winter around the corner, Mamelodi East CPF officially launched its annual morning safety programme on Tuesday.
Chairperson of the CPF, Eddie Mnguni, said the programme fights crime by patrolling identified hotspots in the community.
He said the programme started with 230 patrollers, including community volunteers, to patrol the streets in winter because it got dark early and light late.
“The programme helps prevent people from getting mugged while on their way to work in the early hours and prevents cable theft, housebreaking, vandalism of government buildings, etcetera,” said Mnguni.
The programme was launched in the four sectors of Mamelodi East.
“Mamelodi is very dark, and we know criminals take advantage of darkness,” he said.
He said members of the public have been targeted by criminals on their way to work in the early hours of the morning.
The CPF pleaded with the public to walk in groups in the mornings and evenings to avoid being robbed of their belongings.
Mnguni said CPF members, known as Amabutho and Siyabangena, are the ones conducting the annual winter safety patrols, “but we have other groups working with them, including volunteers”.
“The CPF members patrol mostly identified hotspot areas around Mamelodi, and we are working hand in hand with the police,” he said.
He said the aim of patrolling the neighbourhood is to keep the community and property safe at all times.
Mnguni also encouraged other areas of Mamelodi to start their own street committees or neighbourhood watches.
“The youth need to get involved in these patrols and start walking their parents, sisters, and girlfriends to work in the morning and in the evening.”
He said that to avoid becoming the next victim, members of the public were advised to walk in groups to prevent being robbed.
“Isolated areas are hotspot areas because criminals hide in the bush to attack anyone walking alone in the dark,” said Mnguni.
“Walk in groups of at least five to 10 people to avoid being robbed or becoming the next victim. We hope people take this message very seriously.
“There is police visibility, but the community must please use alternative routes or walk in groups.
“Most of these crimes occur in the morning and the afternoon when people are going to work.”
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