Christmas came early for a Bonteheuwel neighbourhood watch group who received equipment to make night-time patrols safer.
Councillor for ward 50, Angus McKenzie, presented the group with the gifts on Wednesday. These included bicycles, flash lights, two-way radios and some food parcels in an effort to support their work in helping to keep Bonteheuwel safe.
“As the ward councillor, I will continue to support the Bonteheuwel neighbourhood watch, a group of committed volunteers who are the front line, unarmed (volunteers), defending our community against gangsterism,” he continued.
Joy Ruiters, 47, one of the volunteers, said they often assisted residents during shooting incidents. They believed together they were stronger and united against crime.
“We are very grateful that the councillor gave us these gifts, so that we can cover more areas. Especially (because) it used to be difficult to go out at night but now we have these torches. It is really a great help to us. So we are very thankful for that,” she said.
“We also received the food parcels, as he (McKenzie) knows we are volunteers. He is a good man. So we received food parcels and not only this torch, but also first-aid kits in case somebody gets injured.”
Sandra Malan, 64, said their main aim is not only to protect their community but to make sure gangsters know that Bonteheuwel is not a haven for gangsterism.
“They think it is their ghetto but it is not. It is our Bonteheuwel. We do patrol at night to show them that we are here,” she said.
She thanked McKenzie too for giving them the flash lights and the radio, saying the equipment would come in handy for nigh-time patrols.
“They are very handy as we are busy at night and that is why I am so grateful to him for giving us the equipment,” she concluded.