WOODSTOCK | MAITLAND
TUESDAY 12 May 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
@ThePeoplesPost
‘Doing what we CAN’
People’s Post
Thieves vandalised the Saxon Rovers community soccer club in Maitland. PHOTOS: FACEBOOK
KAYLYNNE BANTOM A Kensington-based community organisation says it aims to not only to keep vulnerable residents fed during the lockdown but also to educate them. The group was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The KenFac Community Action Network (CAN) is a subgroup of Cape Town Together Community Action Network (CTT CAN), which aims to share verifiable official updates, resources and toolkits that help to build a community response. Fadia Gamieldien, a founder of KenFac CAN, says on Saturday 4 April, a group of residents came together and decided to join hands to ensure vulnerable residents were fed. She explains that food security was a major issue in the area and the need has escalated since the lockdown. “We have built up a database with the names of people who are vulnerable in the Kensington and Factreton areas and have embarked on a fundraising campaign with various partners in the community to raise funds to purchase food packs for these families,” explains Gamieldien. She reiterates that KenFac CAN is in a joint partnership with various other institutions within the community. Gamieldien says with the help of Peace Ambassadors, a group of young people who assist with the distribution of food parcels, more than 4 000 residents have been reached and approximately 931 food parcels have been distributed. She adds that every food parcel contains a note which reads: “Help your neighbour.” She explains that this note is to encourage beneficiaries to pay it forward. Gamieldien says that, with the help of KenFac CAN, residents living in informal settlements in the area now have access to water and sanitation. “We drafted a letter to the mayor at the start of the lockdown and it was acknowledged and acted upon. “To us, equipping people with the proper information regarding Covid-19 is important, so we share and explain verified government circulars,” she explains. Gamieldien says a WhatsApp hotline has also been created which residents can call or send a WhatsApp to in case of an emergency. V Anyone who would like to make a donation or request assistance can WhatsApp 068 291 1026.
Thieves gained entry through the ceiling.
FACTRETON | KENSINGTON | MAITLAND
Thieves target homes KAYLYNNE BANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@MEDIA24.COM
W
hile the countrywide lockdown has been downgraded from Level five to Level four, and prohibitions to be outside, unless being an essential worker remain in place, thieves in the Kensington area are becoming more daring. Several residents in the Factreton, Kensington and Maitland areas have complained that house burglaries have increased. Jessica Newman, a resident in 13th Avenue in Kensington, says her younger brother was playing video games into the early hours of the morning on Monday 27 April when he noticed that someone was trying to gain access through his bedroom window. “Once the window was open the person proceeded to climb through the window, only his arm and head were through the window. That’s when my brother jumped out of his seat and ran out of the room, screaming for
my dad’s help,” explained Newman. Newman says the thief managed to get away and adds that while they were unharmed, the incident left them traumatised. “To think that the bedroom light was still burning yet he still entered. This was definitely planned because he knew that my brother’s window is always open at night,” added Newman. Another resident Lameez Kleinsmidt says criminals made several attempts to gain access to their property. Kleinsmidt says: “We have a big gate in front of our home with a lock. They tampered with the lock on numerous occasions and stuck things into our lock when they couldn’t get in. It’s just very scary and it keeps us out of sleep at night.” Greg Brookstein, who resides in 7th Avenue, Kensington, said in a post on Facebook that a battery and radio were stolen from his father’s vehicle. The Saxon Rovers community soccer club in Maitland was also targeted. Thieves vandalised the premises and made off with a TV, cooking utensils, soccer
kits and trophies. Sgt Angeline Ah-Sing, communication officer at Kensington police station, confirms that house break-ins and theft out of motor vehicles has increased in the area. “We are asking the community to remain vigilant and not to leave any valuables in plain sight or in their vehicles. As the whole country is on lockdown residents are encouraged to report people loitering or contravening the lockdown regulations,” added Ah-Sing. Mogamat Nordien, chair of the Kensington 9-5 Neighbourhood Watch, wants to know why the more than 70 000 members of the South African National Defence Force, who were deployed to help enforce lockdown regulations, are not visible in sub-economic areas. Residents have since started a communal WhatsApp group to share details about any suspicious persons or illegal activities. V Ah-Sing encouraged residents to report crime at 10111 or dial 112 from their cellphone or call 021 594 7026/27/28.
BRITO’S
CHOICE
LOCKDOWN relief SPECIAL PORK PACK - BULK
CHICKEN FREEZER BAG - 3KG
99
.99 each
BRITO’S GRABOUW BOEREWORS R69.99 P/KG
29
12.99
HAM & TONGUE - 750G
18
.99 each
PRICES VALID AT ALL BRITO’S STORES FROM 11TH - 16TH MAY 2020
each
POCKET FRIENDLY POLONY COMBO CHEESY POLONY 250G + GARLIC POLONY 250G + FRENCH POLONY 250G
( CONSISTS OF CHOPS & STEW)
.99 p/kg
DICED BACON - 200G
20
.00
p/combo
While stocks last. E&OE. Brito’s Meat Centres Customer Information: Tel: 021 950 1000. Cilmor Street, Kaymor, Stikland, 7535. www.britos.co.za