MEC Albert Fritz requests assistance with social distancing during level four lockdown
6 May 2020
The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, has again requested that the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, respond to Neighbourhood Watches’ (NHW) request to assist in social distance management during the level four lockdown.
On 23 April, Minister Fritz wrote to Minister Cele requesting that accredited NHW members be permitted to assist in social distance management and the enforcement of these restrictions. To date, Minister Cele has failed to respond to this request.
Accredited NHWs can assist by promoting social distancing at supermarket (and other shop) queues, clinics, and at transport interchanges. Additionally, NHWs can be used to patrol school grounds to prevent vandalism.
Minister Fritz said, “The presence of NHWs, particularly in communities with low police visibility, will serve to prevent crime. During the lockdown, we have seen an increase in vandalism of schools and shop robberies, particularly in our most vulnerable communities. I have heard the call of the many NHWs and CPFs who have raised their hands and offered their support during this difficult period. It is unacceptable that Minister Cele has failed to respond to this request.”