Residents join the war against crime in Bekkersdal
They may not be carrying firearms, but they say no thug can run or hide from them
Community Policing Forum (CPF) patrollers coined the phrase Slyza Tsotsi (run thug) over ten years ago because they were fed up with crime in Bekkersdal.
Speaking to the Herald about their dedication to eradicating crime, Toko Masupha, Martha Tsoli and Jabulisile Ludidi said they’ve volunteered to become patrollers as they want residents to live in peace.
The trio are among 62 CPF members who form a support system for the Bekkersdal Police and assist in the war against crime.
Tsoli, one of the members has been a patroller for at least a decade.
We want to be the eyes and the ears of the police, given we are the ones on the ground. We joined the CPF after we became aware that not only the police were responsible for expunging crime but that we, ordinary members of the community could do our bit to help,” she said.
Masupha added, “We’re helping to make sure the police’s work is not limited to ridding the community of thugs. We’re helping them so that crime is dealt with thoroughly, hence we’re always on the streets to see what’s happening.”
Another patroller, Jabulisile Ludidi, who has also been with the programme for many years, said she’s glad to be someone the community can look up to and to be doing her part.
“I want residents to be safe – especially the vulnerable like young children who can be taken advantage of by adults who prey on them; or women and children who are usually prone to dying at the hands of the perpetrators as we’ve seen many cases the police had dealt with in the past,” Ludidi said.
According to Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, Bekkersdal Police spokesperson, the patrollers have been mandated to conduct various crime-prevention operations and support the police during awareness campaigns in their respective sectors of the station.
We’re proud to have them on board all in the cause for fighting crime. We appreciate their diligence and their dedication to this significant role they’re playing in eradicating crime with the police. They’re our excellent foot soldiers,” Lefakane said.
