The neighbourhood watch in Ward 87 in Site C, Khayelitsha, received a massive boost after the City donated working equipment to the patrollers at Blue Hall on Tuesday 14 March.
Among the equipment donated were 75 jackets, six bicycles, 60 torches and five first aid kits.
Speaking on behalf of the neighbourhood watch, Ndibakazi Ndingane praised their ward councillor for his effort. She said the equipment will make a difference and it will be easier for the community to recognise them.
“We normally wake in the morning at about 05:30 to accompany people to taxi ranks or bus stops. And it is still dark at that time we don’t see each other. And the jackets will be helpful during the winter season because it’s cold and raining,” she said, adding that the knockout at 07:30.She stated that they will stop wearing bibs, as criminals are also wearing them pretending as if they are also NHW members when they want to commit a crime.
Ndingane stated that it is tough for them as they are not getting paid. She said they depend on handouts from the community.
“We don’t get any stipend. We are volunteering. We are struggling even to buy ourselves a coffee. We are dependent on the community. Some community members have a soft spot for us because they see our work,” she said.
Councillor Khayalethu Kama emphasised that the equipment was bought with the ward budget allocation. He said the equipment cost about R100,000 in total. He described the NHW members as warriors who risk their lives to protect the community. Kama praised them for working the extra mile.
“I have three groups of NHW in my ward. Part of the job they are doing is to escort the City employees when they are coming to render services in the area. They do that voluntarily. Every day some of the HNW members come and sit in my office and wait in case there is a vehicle from the City that is coming into my area,” he stated.
Kama highlighted murder and robbery as some of the cases leading in his ward.