Community patrol turns chaotic at Bellevista

Residents of Bellevista flats and around the neighbourhood took the initiative to fight against crime and drugs in their community from February 7, patrolling the streets of Bellevista and West Turffontein on a daily basis for 24 hours.

While I was talking with a group of patrollers at Jackson Street on March 31 at about 22:00, sudden terror occurred when a group of people came running down the street in our direction, in a chase of a robbed cellphone. The four alleged robbers, who used an iron gun to commit the crime, attempted to run their way through the patrolling team, as two of the four suspects managed to flee the scene with the cellphone, while the remaining two suspects were taken into community custody with their gun.

The son of the patrol team leader was bitten on his arm by one of the two suspects who were resisting arrest, and refusing to be cuffed by the patrol team, claiming he did not commit the crime after biting the young man. The Booysens Police soon arrived and arrested the two perpetrators, shortly after confiscating the gun.

Community members fear for their safety, stating that there are spies in the area who sold them out to dangerous criminals that carry butcher’s knives and pump guns. They say there are seven drug lords that they know and the police are reluctant to arrest the perpetrators, because some of the dealers work with the police.

Three patrollers have been spied on and robbed, while one patroller was stabbed last month. A 52-year-old patroller said people with cell phones and wallets get robbed every day in Bellevista and West Turffontein, however since the patrolling started the crimes are not as bad as before, but urgent attention is still needed by the community and the patrol team.

Residents say they need more men to be part of the crime fighters in the area, as there are more women than men in the patrolling team. The team leader, whose son was bitten in front of her, said some men are unemployed and need to be serving the community in this dire situation. They sit at home and watch soapies, while their children are being robbed and sold drugs to on a daily basis. They also need donations like torches, knob-kieries, reflective bibs, rain coats and umbrellas, soup, tea and two-way radios, because when they scatter in different directions communication becomes difficult.

Africa Star in Bellevista Road is one of the hot crime spots, and people should be vigilant around that area. If people would like to be part of this initiative or to offer some donations, contact 076 632 1414.

Mthunzi Tsetse