Children as young as 11, sick of the crime around them, are spending their weekend nights patrolling Grahamstown's streets under the guidance of the local Community Police Forum (CPF).
Children as young as 11, sick of the crime around them, are spending their weekend nights patrolling Grahamstown's streets under the guidance of the local Community Police Forum (CPF).
A group of Extension 9 boys have formed a neighbourhood watch. Most of the children, aged 15 years and younger, attend Joza primary schools during the week.
On weekend nights from 9pm to 3am they patrol the crime-ridden streets of Extension 9, Extension 8 and Transit Camp.
The youngest is 11-year-old Sima Melani, from Nkomo Street. Speaking to Grocott's Mail earlier this week he said, "I can't bear watching my mother do the men's job alone."
Most of the members of the CPF are women.
Ayabulela Qolohle, 13, also from Nkomo Street said he joined the CPF after the gruesome attack and rape of his neighbours.
A 61-year-old woman and her 21-year-old grand-daughter were attacked in April. Police confirmed that both were beaten with an iron rod and stabbed. Rape and attempted murder were investigated.
The older woman later succumbed to her wounds at a Port Elizabeth hospital.
The incident sparked outrage among her Extension 9 neighbours. Tired of waiting for the adults to do something, the boys have taken on the role of protecting their families, friends and neighbours.
Sethu Ntamo, 14, said, “There are lot of old men in our area who just sit around and drink alcohol. "I'm appealing to them to join us because the CPF is mostly represented by women". Ntamo says crime in the area has decreased since they started their patrols.
“Reported cases of robbery, theft and housebreaking are now scarce," he told Grocott's Mail.
Among the things the boys say they do is stopping drunken brawls in the streets and disarming suspected criminals.
They take the weapons they confiscate to the Joza police station.
They escort intoxicated people to their homes to protect them from becoming victims of crime. The team also warns and educates the residents about dangers of walking at night.
Anticipating criticism from children's rights groups, the initiative is defended by CPF chairperson, Patricia May.
She said she had tried talking the boys out of the operation but they insisted on being involved, saying that they are also affected by crime.
“Due to the fact that the kids have to go to school on Mondays, we release them early on Sundays," she said.
“I’m proud of the boys because they sacrifice their playstations and TV games to be with, and help us out – and they are doing this for their community and showing leadership skills at a young age," May said.
"These are our future leaders. They are honest, responsible, law-abiding citizens who learn responsibility from a young age," said May, who thanked their parents for permitting the boys to join the operation.
Joza Police Captain and CPF Facilitator, Mvuzi Mula, said the police don't have the power to stop any community members from taking part in patrolling their communities.
"As long as they are under the supervision of the CPF committee members it is fine. What we don't condone is vigilantism," he said.
Community policing forums, a community engagement strategy aiming at achieving more effective crime control by working with ordinary citizens, fall under the umbrella of the South African Police Services.
