Local security firm aims to restore safety in the CBD
If there is one thing Mornè Potgieter is proud of, it is his dedication to keeping his hometown safe.
As the head of operations at Ithemba Security Services, Potgieter is always looking for new and innovative ways to help local law enforcement combat crime.
We have always had a good working relationship with our local SAPS, and once a month our members patrol the streets of the CBD with them to help combat crime. However, although we were making arrests, simply conducting foot patrols once a month was not sufficient to keep crime at bay so we started brainstorming new ways to help restore Newcastle back to its original, safe state,” he explained.
For the past two months, Potgieter and his team have been putting together the E2 (Eyes and Ears) Project, which was officially launched on July 5 after being approved by the Newcastle SAPS and Naeem Rahiman responsible for Business Against Crime South Africa, KZN.
What is the E2 Project?
The E2 Project will be conducted throughout the CBD area as well as in high-risk residential areas.
The project team consists of multiple trained security members who will be conducting daily foot patrol duties together with members of the Newcastle SAPS.
The aim of the project is to focus on petty crimes, including common robberies, thefts, and drug-related crimes, that plague the CBD area on a daily basis.
“The whole aim of this project is to make Newcastle safe again. People are too afraid to go into the CBD because of the high crime rate. We realised that if we do not make a plan to combat crime as soon as possible, our business sector in the CBD is going to collapse, and it’s up to us to prevent this,” said Potgieter.
“We are willing to work with anyone and everyone because, at the end of the day, we all have one common goal at heart: to make our town safe again,” he said.
He continued: “It’s important to get as many people as possible involved. The aim is to eventually have a managing committee run by businesses, residents, and security entities, ensuring that our town remains clean and clear of petty criminals targeting the vulnerable.”
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