MITCHELL'S PLAIN
Every Agent Will Promise To Sell Your Home … We GUARANTEE it
CEA: MIEA Broker/Owner.
Mark Brickles 072 742 6963
If your Home Doesn’t Sell We’ll buy it
Call Mark For More Info OR SMS “G5”, Your Name, Email address/ address to 072 742 6963 FREE CALL 0800-00-00-08 24HRS, 7 DAYS A WEEK www.markbrickles.com
TELLING IT AS IT IS
*T & C Apply*
RE/MAX Ultra Select
THURSDAY 5 December 2013 | 0021 910 6500 | Fax: 021 910 6501/06 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za | Mobisite: ppost.mobi
TAFELSIG: ACCESS SAFETY OFFICE FOR BETTER SECURITY
Power to the people
LAILA MAJIET @laila_newsie
Reporting crime to Law Enforcement agencies has been made easier. A safety office manned by neighbourhood watch members was recently launched to act as a direct link between the community and council’s crime and bylaw units at the Thusong Centre in Tafelsig. This comes after two years of pleading by community crime fighters for a one-stop shop in their area. A social worker, a truancy officer and local safety structures will be based at this facility. Law Enforcement, Metro Police and police will also have access. It is anticipated the safety office will help pave the way forward in Mitchell’s Plain as volunteer crime fighters gear up for the festive season. With a new hub from which to operate, the volunteers say they are ready to kick crime to the curb. Charmaine Marhota of the Tafelsig West Community Policing Forum says two years of “nagging” for a base has paid off. “I am happy the City is working hand-inhand with us. I walked for two years to make this a reality, not for me, but for all residents,” she says. With 75 active neighbourhood watches in Tafelsig West, the office will go a long way in making volunteers’ jobs easier, Marhota believes. “All members will start their patrols at the safety office. This will make coordinating patrols easier and allow us to keep better record of our tasks,” she says. The hub is situated in the Mitchell’s Plain suburb most affected by gang violence and other violent crimes, says ward councillor
Sheval Arendse. “The office was opened to assist our community for a period of three years and help transform our neighbourhood into a safe one,” he says. Residents of Tafelsig West will now have access to the office around the clock. “People can report crime at the facility. The person on duty at the office will contact the relevant authorities to deal with the reported case,” Arendse explains. With shootings sending shock waves through the area daily, Arendse says people need a safe place closer to home where they can report crime. “I made the space available for the volunteers because the closest police station is 3km away. Now people can be assisted by a trained community worker should they be affected by domestic violence for example,” he adds. The office is a step forward in helping residents do their bit to fight crime, Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith believes. “To work with the local community safety structures amplifies our numbers,” he said at the launch. Michael Jacobs, the Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum Cluster chairperson, says safety structures should continue to strengthen their ties with council. Three neighbourhood watches have received equipment from their ward councillors to help in their volunteer efforts. Smith said the City deals with between 2 000 and 5 000 complaints registered a day, most of which are generated by people living in the leafy suburbs “where crime is minimal”. But those living in affluent areas demand service delivery and people living in poorer communities should do the same, he encouraged.
PICKING UP THE PIECES: A fire ripped through an informal settlement in Strandfontein earlier this week. Two homes were gutted and two others damaged in the blaze. Natasha Hermanus (25) is one of eight people displaced after by the fire. See page 6. PHOTO: LAILA MAJIET
EXTENDED TRADING HOURS
Approved Workshop
Great Deals on Batteries
021 392 1786 Minor Oil Service & 10-Point Check from
R195 Labour
NEXON
Steering Wheel & HUB Combo
R395
Brake Pad Promo
Batteries & Multi Fitment Centre Accessories • Spares • Batteries • Workshop Tel: 021 392 3 786 or 021 392 4 786 or 021 392 1 786 sales@mro.co.za www.mro.co.za
SIMOTA Induction Kit
Gearlocks with Bracket
R280 R285
12 Months Warranty + Scrap
Xenon Bulbs 50% Brighter Legal
R80
from
from
NEXON Steering Locks Alarm + Central Heavy Huty 4dr Locking
LED Bulbs Int/Ext Latest
R265
per set
R40
from
Speaker Promo
Protect your Engine
R145 R150
Prolong Treatment Everon Treatment