DEAR Editor;
On Sunday, July 11 we got word of the fact that there was an element of the ANC that wanted former president Jacob Zuma to be released from jail, otherwise they would bring the country to its knees.
The 12 Pennington Community Watch (PCW) responders had an urgent meeting and decided they would patrol throughout the night.
On Monday morning, July 12, we heard on the news about the malls and shops that had been looted and immediately started manning the entrances of Pennington.
After a discussion with the chairman, we knew that we did not have enough people to stop a wave of people if they came to Pennington to try and loot, etc.
A WhatsApp message was sent to the community groups. More than a 100 men and women rocked up and reported for duty. The residents and businesses needed to be protected, and peopled answered the call. That was amazing.
We then divided into groups and the entrances were monitored 24 hours a day.
On Tuesday we heard how our neighbouring towns were attacked and looted. We then decided to block the R102 on the north and south sides of Pennington.
One of our local construction companies brought some building rubble and we barricaded the entrances and only allowed residents and essential services in.
Every night the women of the village, businesses, and private individuals supplied food and drinks for the men that were bracing the bitter cold day and night.
That did so much for the morale of those dedicated folk. Some worked 36 hour shifts, leaving wives at home not knowing what would happen next. They were the unsung heroes of this story. The situation continued through Wednesday.
On Thursday afternoon word was received that Pennington and residences were going to be attacked. Once again a WhatsApp message went out and it was amazing. At that point I was glad I was not the enemy.
On that Thursday, PCW formed an alliance with the local taxi association who joined us at the barricades to fight with us if necessary. What a historic event to show the world it’s not about race, but about protecting everyone.
It was a tense afternoon, and a long night. Women were told to leave the village if the barricades were broken. It would’ve been a battle to the death.
A lot of brave men and women were manning the barricades. Our Saps reservists were there, the taxi association, the 12 PCW response guys and a whole lot of the community volunteers. Once again the village people supplied wood, drinks and eats. Nothing happened.
On Friday morning we were relieved. There was no battle. There was no bloodshed.
All that was there was a community bonded, black, white, Indian and coloured. All races and all genders, from the young to the old all stood together as one.
Pennington was successfully protected and defended without one shot been fired.
Even as I am writing this, there are volunteers patrolling the village 24 hours a day.
There was no food to buy, and our neighbours from Umzinto came and delivered truckloads of bread which was distributed. .
Out of the misery of the extremist looting, KZN became a community and neighbouring townships, that just bonded.
As a token of appreciation, PCW with the help of Pick n Pay are now going to distribute food parcels to the community and neighbouring communities to show our appreciation for joining us in the fight against hooligans.
We have a community that cares for each other, and is driven by PCW, the chairman Steve Leech and his wife Jayne. A special mention to the response guys that were relentless and worked nonstop without anyone being disgruntled. Pennington, you rocked!
As a member of the Pennington community, I was blown away by the action from our Pennington Community Watch. Thanks to each and every one of you.
PROUD PENNINGTON RESIDENT
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