Minister Plato to accredit 14 new Neighbourhood Watch structures in Stellenbosch
Tonight, Tuesday 3 July 2018, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety, Dan Plato, will officially award accreditation to 14 new Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) structures at an official accreditation ceremony in Stellenbosch.
The 14 newly accredited NHW structures brings the total number of NHWs accredit in the province to 226. For the current financial year we are aiming at accrediting at least another 100 NHW formations and we are setting aside R1.225 million for training, as well as R1.3 million to adequately equip our NHWs with a starter kit upon accreditation.
The new Neighbourhood Watch structures receiving accreditation tonight includes 12 structures in the greater Stellenbosch area (Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch and Cloetesville) and two (2) structures in greater Paarl (Paarl East and Paarl West).
All the NHWs will receive their accreditation certificate and a Starter Kit, containing reflective vests, torches, safety whistles, first aid kits, fire extinguisher, strobe lights and magnetic decals for vehicles, stickers and a lockable container.
The new accredited NHW will also be eligible for additional training provided by the Department of Community Safety or our safety partners, including basic NHW training and first aid training.
Safety volunteers in any capacity have the potential to unite an entire community behind a common cause and take back ownership of a community from the criminal few hell-bent on institutionalising fear in our communities.
Minister Plato will welcome the accredited Neighbourhood Watches as a dedicated safety partner to the community, municipality and provincial government. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and the willingness of active residents to assist us in creating safer environments in our communities are appreciated, celebrated and necessary in our ongoing attempts to support the police in both crime fighting and crime prevention activities.
There will be an opportunity for photographs and interviews.
All media are invited to attend.
Details: Neighbourhood Watch Accreditation ceremony
Date: Tuesday, 3 July 2018
Time: 17h30 – 19h30
Venue: Stellenbosch Town Hall, 14 Plein Street, Stellenbosch
Media enquiries:
Ewald Botha
Cell: 079 694 1113
