The councillor of Ward 12 in Mabopane donated 40 two-way radios to the Beirut and Lebanon CPF to help combat crime.
The donation comes after the CPF members expressed difficulties communicating with each other when they need backup.
According to the chairperson of the Lebanon CPF, Ziphora Mafora crime has surged in the area, with frequent incidents of housebreaking, cable theft, car hijacking, and cellphone snatching.
Maphora said they also had to increase patrols in Lebanon because of increased criminal activities.
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Sometimes the patrollers come across hardcore criminals that they can’t approach without the help of other CPF members.
“We had to use our phones to call for backup, which is time-consuming and expensive,” she said.
The councillor donated 30 radios to the Lebanon CPF and 10 to the Beirut CPF.
Mafora said when dealing with criminals you have to be quick to call for backup because the suspect can escape.
“Using cellphones to call for help was not working for us because sometimes we did not have airtime,” Maphora explained.
She added that the radios will enable them to communicate effectively and co-ordinate efforts to catch criminals.
Maphora said the radios are connected to the police station and the councillor’s office.
Image:Supplied
“The radios will also help us alert each other of suspicious and criminal activities any time of the day,” said Maphora.
“We are grateful for the councillor’s support and commitment to our community’s safety,” she added.
Ward 12 councillor DK Tsela said he donated the radios to help and encourage the CPF to keep on fighting crime.
He said the radios will help them communicate promptly with him and police as they are also part of the radio programme.
“They will also help with police response times,” said Tsela.
Image: supplied
He said using their phones to communicate was costly and not safe for them.
Tsela added that the CPF plays a vital role in maintaining safety in the community and they are committed to supporting their efforts.
“I believe that by working together, we can make a significant impact on crime and ensure a safer environment for our residents.”
Tsela said the radios are also to avoid incidents in which criminals evade patrollers because they did not have backup.
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