Lenasia has plan to fight back

The Lenasia community patrollers have vowed to take back their streets and stop crime.

Enough was enough, said the 98 members who have committed themselves to patrolling the streets with the police.

Mohamed Azhar Bulbulia, chairman of the group called the Lenasia Citizenry, said 98 men were vetted and fingerprinted.

"We refuse to be sitting ducks in our own homes any longer. We want to be proactive and this is how the idea for the community patrollers was born.

"The community has mobilised and have started interacting with each other again.

"Some community members have offered to check on the elderly who live alone to ensure their safety," said Bulbulia.

"The volunteers will patrol in their spare time in their vehicles. They don't have any weapons, but will be working with a police officer.

"The patrollers will be given an induction by the MEC for safety and security's office to inform them of their code of conduct."

Volunteer Shuabe Bayett, a businessman who has lived in Lenasia for 47 years, said police resources could not cope with the escalating crime.

"I decided to join the community patrollers because my family and community are at risk. We can't hold the police responsible for keeping us safe, it is our responsibility to get involved," said Bayett.

Lenny Spider, a community leader and businessman, said crime had forced people to turn their homes into prisons - and they hid behind high walls, barbed wire, electric fencing and burglar gates.

"Children used to walk to the shop in our neighbourhood, but not anymore," said Spider. "We are too afraid to let them out of our properties in fear of their lives. I chose to become a volunteer because I didn't want to complain about the crime - I want to do something about it."

Colonel Nonhlanhla Kubheka, head of crime prevention at the Lenasia police station, said the police were waiting for the MEC's office to give them the go-ahead to get involved.

Thapelo Moiloa, spokesman for Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko, said the police welcomed the community initiative to fight crime.

"We encourage communities to work together with the police to fight crime and make Gauteng a safer place," said Moiloa.