Letter: Bedfordview CPF thanks partners for support during the shutdown

Editor – As the last tensions over the national shutdown dissipate, I would like to take this opportunity to give my thanks to the Bedfordview community.

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Residents of Bedfordview live in and amongst some of the finest people in South Africa.

To Colonel Geustyn and Colonel Ndaba, our Bedfordview station commander and Vispol commander – your leadership and planning during this time were exemplary and we salute and thank you.

Ward Clr Jill Humphreys, aka superwoman, always manages to get things done even when faced with insurmountable odds. Thank you Jill.

To our private security companies which brought in extra resources and guards, paid overtime and supplied vehicles, at their own cost to throw a protective ring of steel around Bedfordview, we salute each one of you.
Our residents can sleep soundly at night knowing you are protecting them.

From reacting to events, sharing intelligence, lending the CPF vehicles, to moving loads of tyres dumped by protestors, the contributions and generosity of the private security companies know no bounds.

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To Ward 92 Clr Kade Geurreiro, thank you for always being on the ground when we need you.

To the CPF patrollers – as the saying goes, “nothing is as strong as the heart of a volunteer”.

You truly showed what strong hearts are.

Behind the scenes, these women and men left their homes and families to drive and walk continuous patrols, 24 hours a day.

They loaded 30 tons of tyres by hand, put out veld fires, searched for lost pets, issued communications to keep our community informed, and distributed snacks and water to SAPS and security members, all on three to four hours of sleep a night.

All of this was accomplished while they had their regular jobs and families to attend to.

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To be able to lead people like you is the ultimate privilege.

We salute Jeremy Jeffery of the Bedfordview SPCA for bringing in his teams to help with lost animals.

Dr Asmal of the Kloof Road Medical Centre offered his services and facilities should we have needed them, as well as his continued support of the community. Thank you, sir.

To the Bedfordview community and your outpouring of help and assistance, we stand humbled.

The trolley loads of snacks and drinks you donated at SPAR Bedfordview were amazing and helped keep the personnel fed and hydrated.

When the call for help for trucks went out, the response was awe-inspiring. A fleet of trucks arrived and whisked away a massive cache of tyres.

This includes a woman (forgive me ma’am but I have forgotten your name) from the community who arrived with her private car and trailer, in and amongst the massive lorries, with a bag of water for the loaders, ready to do her bit.

This is the true embodiment of community.

Thank you to PeterBill Transport, Jumbo Projects, BACLogistics, Inter Cable, CC Crane Hire and Mack Loo Toilet Hire as well as Guns@Work Shooting Range for accepting the tyres into safe storage. You all are amazing.

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To Bedfordview SPAR, Vini’s Restaurant, Del Forno, Soul Souvlaki, Sabers Wholesalers and Klopper Park Engen, thank you for keeping the patrollers fed with delicious pizzas and ice-cold refreshments and coffee.

We thank our partners at Primrose, Edenvale, Cleveland and Germiston CPFs for jumping in without hesitation to help us whenever we called. We value and respect your contribution and we are blessed to have neighbours like you.

To our partner patrollers at AfriForum, thank you for standing up for your community and for having our backs.

The shutdown of South Africa did not fail. It was thwarted by the ability of our communities to stand together and defeat any challenge.

ALSO READ: Community members are invited to join Bedfordview CPF

On behalf of a grateful Bedfordview CPF executive,

Dan Perry.

• Letter edited.

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