With the decline of basic service delivery in South Africa, AfriForum began looking at practical solutions to the problems. One of the biggest challenges facing citizens is the unacceptably high crime rate and the South African Police Service’s growing inability to carry out its basic tasks. Although the main cause of this lies in poor political leadership and decisions, there are practical steps that communities can take to help combat crime, such as establishing a neighbourhood watch and actively participating in this safety structure.

AfriForum established its first neighbourhood watch in 2012 and has since expanded to 177 nationwide. The neighbourhood watches have communication networks, response capabilities, access to an information system, drones, training and support from AfriForum’s head office.

Cooperation with the SAPS and other law enforcement authorities is of paramount importance because the powers of neighbourhood watch members are limited to those of volunteers. That is why AfriForum strives to cultivate good relations with the SAPS at grassroots level and higher. This goal, however, does not prevent the organisation from exposing and fighting corruption, mismanagement and political interference in the police service.

This collaboration has already resulted in huge successes, and AfriForum is regularly approached by law enforcement officers for assistance during operations.

Yet AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches operate on an independent basis and rely on rights guaranteed to citizens by South African legislation, to carry out neighbourhood watch activities safely, effectively and within the framework of the law.

AfriForum’s Community Safety Division also drives campaigns to promote awareness about safety and to take on the government when necessary.

The team

• Raymond Hohls
  Operational Manager
• Jacques Broodryk
  Chief Spokesperson
• Llewellynn Hemmens
  Head of Security: Northern Region (Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo)
• Joseph Renaud
  Head of Security: Central Region (North West, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal)
• David Olivier
  Head of Security: Southern Region (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape)