Modderfontein car guards make neighbourhood safe
"Before we started looking after the cars, the cars were often stolen or broken into."
A group of Modderfontein friends have taken it upon themselves to change the way the community looks at car guards.
Mr Gcina Dakamnyama, together with his friends, decided to take matters into their own hands instead of waiting for handouts and started looking after cars near the Modderfontein Dam.
“Before we started looking after the cars, the cars were often stolen or broken into. We came up with the idea to look after the cars in order to make a living.
“We don’t get a salary for what we do but the motorists do give us tips for looking after their cars, which makes a big difference,” said Mr Dakamnyama. Not only does this group of friends ensure people’s cars are safe, they have also started providing food to the workers at the Lakeside Shopping Centre construction site.
The Sebenza SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Sharon Mahamba-Tsotsotso, said there used to be a lot of vehicles stolen in the area but things have changed for the better since there are car guards in the area.
“We spoke to one of the business owners in the area and we agreed to have car guards in the space next to the library because there was a lot of vehicles being stolen.
“Crime has decreased dramatically ever since the guards started working here, eight months ago. We used to have about 15 to 20 vehicles stolen in a month but now a month goes by without any stolen vehicles reported in that area. These guys are doing a great job because whenever there is a problem, they give us a call or send a Please Call Me and we respond,”said Sgt Tsotsotso.
She said the guards do not get salaries and depend on those motorists who compensate them.
