Ayesha Jacobs was shot in the leg while out on patrol with the Bonteheuwel Neighbourhood Watch nearly ten years ago. Photo: Mary-Anne Gontsana
The City of Cape Town Neighbourhood Watch Support Programme has just expanded its training programme
By Mary-Anne Gontsana first published on GroundUp
IN SUMMARY:
- Incident involving Ayesha Jacobs (2014): Jacobs, a member of the Bonteheuwel Neighbourhood Watch (NHW), was shot in the leg during a patrol in 2014. Despite the injury, she continues to patrol but now from a police van.
- Bonteheuwel NHW: Established in 2011, receives support (equipment and training) from the City of Cape Town’s NHW Support Programme.
- Nyanga NHWs: Active since 2013, dealing mainly with hijackings, robberies, and gangsterism. Also supported by the City with equipment such as jackets, radios, and flashlights. Members like Fundiswa Menzi face threats from criminals but continue patrolling.
- Gugulethu Khanya Group NHW: Founded in 2013, deals with crimes such as robberies and domestic violence. The group employs a “humiliation strategy” instead of violence when confronting criminals. Works closely with police and the community.
- City of Cape Town’s NHW Support Programme:
- Provides training in first aid, crime prevention, and civil unrest preparedness.
- A budget of just under R6 million is allocated for equipment and training.
- NHWs receive equipment such as radios, body cameras, bicycles, and burn kits.
- Challenges:
- Due to budget constraints, not all NHWs receive training or equipment.
- The City prioritizes NHWs that request support or are identified as needing help.
Ayesha Jacobs on the 2014 incident:
- “As we moved closer to investigate, a guy came out with a backpack on. We called him and asked him to open the bag. He unzipped it enough for us to see guns inside. As we were peeking in the bag, gunshots went off from inside the school.”
- “I played dead in the hope that they would think they had killed me and not come and finish me off.”
Fundiswa Menzi on NHW work in Nyanga:
- “It is a dangerous job that we do, but we have to do it and stand up for our areas.”
- “Victims of the robberies are usually those that are going or coming back from work.”
Nkosinasthi Kambi on confronting criminals:
- “We find most of these culprits who commit these crimes know us.”
- “Sometimes you’ll get to the person’s home, and without us even saying a word, they will tell what they did and where we can find the stolen property.”
Charl Viljoen on NHW support:
- “The City’s Safety and Security Directorate provides crime prevention and first aid training to those NHWs who request support.”
- “The services are provided on request and where a local councillor or community safety liaison officer may identify a particular need.”
