Mamelodi patrollers honoured for bravery
Councillor Sizwe Tsiane says they recognise their work and the selfless acts they put in to make sure this community develops.
A group of unemployed youths who patrol Ward 67 (Mamelodi) were honoured for keeping the community safe for almost three years.
The youths belong to Up Town Community Safety, received donations of reflectors and whistles, and were awarded bravery medals.
The generous donations were made by the community and councillor Sizwe Tsiane last Friday.
“We are honouring the patrollers for selflessly putting their lives in harm’s way to protect our community.
The group has managed to reduce issues of illegality, criminality, and drugs within the community.
We recognise their work and the selfless acts they put in to make sure this community develops,” he said.
Tsiane said the patrollers started operating almost three years ago when the area experienced a lot of crime.
“They had been working hand in hand with the police.”
Thabang Mabasa from Up Town Community Safety said the generous donations came at the time they were needed the most.
He said the youth are happy that the community is recognising their job, and these donations will motivate them to work harder.
“We started a patrol group to keep our streets safe from criminals, and we were also experiencing a lot of housebreakings within our ward.
“This was after we noticed there was not enough police and CPF member visibility in their area,” said Mabasa.
He said these donations would motivate and encourage the patrollers to work, and they desperately needed donations of torches.
Mabasa explained how community safety was formed.
“All unemployed youth came together and held a meeting with the community to inform them about plans to keep the streets safe in the morning and afternoon,” said Mabaso.
Mabaso said that in return, the community members donated reflectors, torches, walkie-talkies, and food.
“The level of crime immediately was reduced within the first week of patrolling as we caught cable theft thieves who took advantage of load-shedding,” he said.
The group is currently patrolling in Mamelodi West Sections C2, C3, C4, B4, A3, B1, and A1.
“We are simply volunteers who care about the community by putting our lives at risk to ensure we live in a crime-free zone, and we could not have done this without the support of the community and the police,” he said.
He added that they were planning to register the group as a security company and create job opportunities for more unemployed youth in Mamelodi.
Mabasa also encouraged surrounding communities to start their own patrol groups.
A senior citizen from Ward 67 said the patrollers have been doing a great job within the community, and it is high time they are appreciated.
“We have seen community members start patrol groups, but they later fall apart because there is no unity among them,” he said.
He encouraged the youths to keep up the good work and think of safety first.
Patrols are from Monday to Sunday from 22:00 to 06:00 and are supported by local businesses.
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