Neighbourhood watches and Community Policing Forums are allowed back to the streets to assist in the fight against crime during lockdown level 3.
According to correspondence from deputy national commissioner of policing, the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, regulations allow businesses and other institutions to operate. Members of community policing forums and neighbourhood watches are not excluded from the regulations. Therefore, these categories of structures can operate under the current regulations subject to compliance with all other relevant prescripts under these regulations from the Department of Health.
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Amanzimtoti CPF deputy chairperson, Merlene Matthew said, “I am very pleased that our community policing sub forums and NHW patrollers can resume their duties. As a collective, we are the eyes and ears for SAPS, CCPO and the security companies and it enables them to use their resources more effectively. We are extremely grateful for all our voluntary patrollers and the sacrifices they make to keep neighbourhoods safe. As of 13 June, there have been 14 Covid-19 related deaths in the police service, while 1 685 police officers tested positive for the virus. My wish for our patrollers is to be safe and they must ensure they wear masks, disposable gloves, sanitise and keep social distancing protocols.”
The following guidelines must be strictly observed by all members:
1) All members of the CPF or NHW who is an executive member or patroller must at all times while performing permitted services be in possession of a valid permit
2) The permit must be issued by the CPF chairperson or deputy chairperson at a local level
3) In the case of a NHW member a valid permit can also be issued by the relevant sector chairperson
4) Form 2 of the regulations must be used by CPF/ community patroller or NHW members as a valid permit
5) It must be noted that the police has no competency in terms of regulations to issue any permit. Therefore, under no circumstances can SAPS officials issue permits
6) If a CPF/ NHW patroller is found performing his/ her duties without a valid permit, such member should be sent back home immediately.
For more information or to obtain a permit, contact, Amanzimtoti CPF deputy chairperson Merlene Matthew on 082-803-2273, Amanzimtoti Sector 1 chairperson, Brett Smith on 083-207-6679 or Amanzimtoti Sector 2 chairperson, Eugene Engelbrecht on 072-345-2731.
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