Ward 36 in Crossroads held a special training session for new neighbourhood watch members on Sunday 7 May to fight crime in the area.
The event, conducted by the City, was held at Crossroads Sports Complex. At least 53 people took part in the training.
Shaun Homani from the City’s, Safety and Security department stated that their mandate is to keep peace and security in the communities. He described the event as an occasion to empower new members.
Homani said the department targeted areas with high crime rates in the city to equip them in various ways.
“Our job as the department is to provide equipment and training to the newly recruited members, especially areas that have accredited NHW. We train them about how they should conduct themselves while on patrol,” said Homani.
Capt Zizo Tshambu, Nyanga Police Station sector manager in Crossroads, stated that all the new members were screened.
“We don’t need someone who has a criminal record. Our training is based more on what NHW does. We advised them not to try to catch a culprit, instead, they must call the police because some of the criminals are carrying dangerous weapons. We will deploy them in some of the hotspots which include Gwayi Street, Japhta Masemola Rd near Nelson Mandela High School, New Eisleben Road and various bus stops,” she said.
Tshambu stated that the aim is to stabilise peace. She urged young people to join the NHW to put in more effort.
Ward councillor Nceba Ntshweza described the training as a “great initiative”. He identified car hijacking, domestic violence, gender-based violence and robberies as some of the most common criminal cases in the ward.
He urged the community to work with the patrollers to curb crime.
One of the trainees, Lulama Mgqwagqwane, described the training as helpful. She said she aims to protect the community.
“We wish the City could provide us with working equipment, especially now that it’s winter. And we appeal to the community to work with us and understand that we are trying to protect them,” said Mgqwagqwane.