Mavuso residents form neighbourhood watch to restore peace
A safety forum initiative aimed at fighting crime in Mavuso informal settlement.
Residents of the Mavuso informal settlement in Nellmapius have formed a neighbourhood watch group because of crime in the area.
Vusi Msiza from Mavuso said they decided to stand up together to restore peace in the community.
Thus far in August, they had to deal with two rapes, two murders, shack fires (where one person died) and common robberies.
“It is also no longer safe to walk at night,” said Msiza.
He said they decided to form the Mavuso Forum following the latest incidents.
Msiza blamed tavern owners in Mavuso who were not complying with lockdown rules and regulations and operated until the early hours of the morning.
“We have held several community meetings. It was decided we shall form a forum that will patrol at night and hold stop-and-searches after curfew,” he said.
Tavern and spaza shops owners in Mavuso informal settlement were told to stop operating after curfew hours.
Since the meeting, crime has dropped in the area.
He added that the forum has already managed to recover four knives and a screwdriver from people they found breaking the curfew.
“We also encouraged community members to buy whistles to report crimes at any time day or night. We are pleading with the
community to start working with us to make sure everyone is safe and that they all comply,” said Msiza.
“The forum also created job opportunities for unemployed residents. Every household agreed to donate R10 for the patrollers working at night making sure that everyone is safe at all times.”
The community decided to “take back” what belongs to them.
He added that they could not fight crime alone and pleaded with the police to come on board in making sure that Mavuso informal settlement becomes a safe area.
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