Last week Wednesday, February 01, the community of Pimville and Klipspruit held a meeting to find solutions for the major issues they are facing.
ALSO READ: Pimville residents concerned about safety and security
The gathering took place at the Pimville Community Centre.
The purpose of the meeting was to address the two major issues that the CPF is currently facing. This was also a report back to the community about the stolen objects which were found by the CPF.
“Our patrollers are not safe. I was touched when I found out that one of our own was framed and arrested.
“She was defending herself against an altercation with a drug mule, who rushed to the police to lay charges of assault,” said Musawenkosi Dlamini, CPF leader.
According to Dlamini this incident of the arrested a CPF member has instilled fear to other patrollers and raised questions of safety. Patrollers are the watchdogs of the community who also need to be protected by the community they are serving.
Dlamini said, “The recent arrest of the patroller has pushed the CPF members to want to stop patrolling because their safety is now compromised. The Kliptown police turn our CPF into perpetrators and shield the criminals.”
ALSO READ: Bin bag safety: be mindful of what you dispose of
Soweto is consumed by multiple criminal activities which puts the safety of the community at risk and end up living in fear. It is these community appointed patrollers that try to eliminate crime in their areas.
“If they stop patrolling, we will face serious problems in our community. We cannot disown them, as the community we need to reinforce and protect them.
“After all, they put their lives at risk so that we have a crime free Pimville and Klipspruit community,” said Junior Ramoba, a resident.
On Thursday February 02, residents of Pimville attended the CPF meber’s court case as a collective to demand bail at the Kliptown Magistrate’s Court. The patroller was therefore granted bail for R500 and released from custody.