Community patrollers tackle early morning crime in Mamelodi
Residents are warned to avoid walking alone as CPF highlights the dangers of isolated routes in dark streets.
The Mamelodi CPF encourages the public, especially those who are going to work in the early hours of the morning, to walk in groups to avoid becoming a crime victim.
Eddie Mnguni from the CPF said that the community needs to take this message seriously so that they do not get robbed.
“Mamelodi is very dark, and we know criminals take advantage of darkness,” he said, adding that groups of five to 10 are best.
“Isolated areas are hotspots because criminals hide in the bush to attack anyone walking alone,” he said.
He continued, “There is police visibility, but the community must please use alternative routes.”
Criminals look for patterns in behaviour and then exploit these to target you.
According to Mnguni, there is a programme with over 200 volunteer patrollers that helps in fighting crime by patrolling identified hotspots in the Mamelodi area.
“The programme helps prevent people from getting mugged while on their way to work in the early hours of the morning, and prevents cable theft, housebreaking, vandalism of government buildings, etc,” continued Mnguni.
These CPF members, known as ‘Amabutho’ or ‘Siyabangena’, are the ones conducting the winter safety patrols. “But we have other groups working with them, including the volunteers.”
“The members patrol mostly identified hotspot areas around Mamelodi, and we are working hand in hand with the police,” he continued.
He confirmed that the aim of patrolling the neighbourhood is to keep the community and property safe at all times.
Mnguni encouraged residents in other areas of Mamelodi to start their own street committees and neighbourhood watches.
He closed with, “The youth need to get involved in these patrols and start walking their parents, sisters, and girlfriends to work in the morning and the evening.”
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