East youth securing railway stations
The organisation was created for the safety of its children playing next to the perimeter fence at the Green View railway station in Mamelodi East.
A local organisation volunteering for the safety of its people wants to join forces with Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
Mamelodi Ward 40 Base Cries and Plight of the Community was formed right after the national lockdown started.
Solly Masango, one of the founders, said the organisation was created for the safety of Ward 40 children playing next to the perimeter fence at Green View railway station in Mamelodi East.
“The organisation was looking out for the children because since lockdown, Prasa has removed all its security guards and if not monitored children will cross the fence and go onto the railway line,” said Masango.
Masango said due to crime volunteers started patrolling at the station and other railway stations in Mamelodi looking after the property of Prasa.
“More people started volunteering to do patrols at the other railway stations in Mamelodi since they had a good relationship with the police and Prasa,” said Masango.
He said the organisation later joined forces with Sakhisizwe security and received free security training for all the youth. People over 35 years must pay for a training course.
The members have prevented crimes from taking place by apprehending criminals trying to vandalise the railway stations and handed them over to the police.
He added that the volunteers are working two shifts, a day shift and a night shift, patrolling the railway stations including the unfinished Greenview railways in Mamelodi East.
“The volunteers desperately need reflector jackets for the community and commuters to recognise them when patrolling.”
Reflector jackets are necessary because Masango said their security volunteers get chased away at Mamelodi Gardens as they are not “recognised”.
This, fortunately, did not happen at the other stations.
“The aim of patrolling and volunteering at the railway station is to fight crime, keep the kids safe, as well as creating job opportunities for unemployed youth in Mamelodi.”
Masango further said the organisation is meeting with the Prasa management to discuss a way forward working together.
Anyone who wishes to donate reflectors or to help the organisation with whatever means can contact Solly Masango on 063-795-3761.
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