AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Mpumalanga participated in a national patrol on 12 March.
It formed part of the official re-activation of activities which began under level 1 of the lockdown.
According to a press release dated 16 March, about 251 AfriForum members and 397 other safety role players participated.
Altogether 388 vehicles were involved, driving a total distance of 43 430 km.
AfriForum said 14 incidents were handled successfully.
Other role players such as private neighbourhood watches, security companies, community policing forums, tow-truck services, police stations, local businesses, paramedical services and traffic departments were also involved.
The purpose of the patrol was to mobilise communities against crime and to improve visibility and cooperation between safety role players on a national, as well as a local level.
“Crime is ever-increasing and it is of utmost importance that the state realises it can not fight crime on its own,” Mr Bronwen Pretorius, provincial safety coordinator, said.
“The lower crime statistics that were recorded during the national patrol clearly indicate that these types of initiatives make a difference.
“AfriForum neighbourhood watches serve as the eyes and ears of the police and they perform all patrols within prescribed guidelines and the framework of the law.”
