Children have fun while they learn about safety

The Paterson Park Recreation Centre grounds in Norwood were filled with little hunters who sought to find sweet treasures.

April 21, 2023

Naidine Sibanda 1 minute read

Brian Whitley from the Norwood Comunity In Blue chats to the children in attendance. Photo: Naidine Sibanda

Children, accompanied by parents and elders, had fun at the Paterson Park Recreation Centre in Norwood while they also learnt about the community police forum and its partners. The event, which was an Easter egg hunt, took place on April 15. Event organiser Jackie van der Westhuizen said the purpose of the event was to give the children a chance to have fun while they learnt about safety.

CAP's K9 unit demonstration. — Victor Mkandiwire catches ‘criminal’ Zameer Husain during CAP’s K9 unit demonstration. Photo: Naidine Sibanda

The first group of children enjoyed a run around the grounds as they hunted for their sweet treats. Then everyone gathered at the centre’s soccer grounds to watch a demonstration by CAP’s K9 Unit where K9 dog Tevo with the guidance of Zameer Husain and Frederico Kalupeteka showed his skills of detecting drugs through smell and helping to catch suspects.

The children are taught some karate moves. Photo: Naidine Sibanda

Sergeant Makoma Nurse Tshwale from the Norwood SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit taught the children about the dangers and effects of drug abuse. She explained that abuse of drugs can damage your physical being which includes teeth and lungs as well as negatively affect your mental well-being.

Sensei Sunil Gopal, Master Imtiaz Abdulla, Sensei Vusi Mzwakali, Sempai Roxanne Cassim and Zeena Mzwakali share some karate moves with the children at Paterson Park Recreation Centre. Photo: Naidine Sibanda

Warrant Officer Hofman Mampa shared that police go to school for a year; where they are trained and taught how to enforce arrests. Sergeant Wilson Mamabolo added that the police weapons, guns, are kept in a safe and on the waist of the police officer. He said handcuffs were reserved only for criminals. He added that different units were there for different purposes and these units include the bomb squad, flying squad, patrollers and many more.