AfriForum neighbourhood watch strikes painful blow to zama zamas
Three illegal miners – known as zama zamas – were arrested and a number of zama zamas chased from their hiding place during an operation in the Primrose area on Wednesday, 25 October. AfriForum’s Germiston neighbourhood watch provided assistance to the South African Police Service (SAPS) during the operation.
According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s spokesperson for community safety, a small-scale war erupted when illegal miners armed with AK47s opened fire on security forces. However, this was met with tactical counterfire. No injuries were reported. Homemade explosive devices, firearms, ammunition, and a stolen vehicle were seized.
“We are very proud of and grateful to our neighbourhood watch members who are willing to take the safety of their communities into their own hands within the framework of the law. This success just shows once again how effectively the statutory forces and community security structures can work together in the fight against crime,” says Broodryk.
Role players involved in this operation were: AfriForum, Forum Sekuriteit, Mamba Security, CPS Security, Graphite Security, Primrose and Germiston SAPS, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the Local Criminal Records Centre (LCRC).
Join your nearest AfriForum neighbourhood watch at www.afriforumbuurtwag.co.za.