NATIONAL NEWS - A letter received on 5 June by the Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, from the Deputy National Commissioner, Lieutenant-General SF Masemola, outlines the conditions under which neighbourhood watches (NHWs) may operate during lockdown Level 3.
The heads of the various departments of Community Safety and the National Secretary of Police confirmed during a meeting on 1 June that the restrictions placed on NHWs have been lifted under alert Level 3.
Masemola’s letter states that, as per the regulations issued on 28 May, NHWs may operate subject to their compliance with the relevant prescripts outlined in the regulations and directives made by the Department of Health.
The relevant guidelines provided for NHWs are as follows:
- NHW members must be in possession of a valid permit at all times;
- In the case of NHWs, a valid permit must be issued by the convener (Department of Community Safety) or any person authorised by him/her; and
- Form 2 of the regulations must be used by the NHW member as a valid permit.
“It should be noted that the police have no competency to issue permits to NHW members and should under no circumstances do so. Furthermore, the Department of Community Safety will only issue permits to members of accredited NHW structures. An extensive communication has been issued to the chairpersons of all accredited NHW structures outlining the protocols that they must adhere to whilst operating,” said Fritz.
Should anyone have any further questions on whether their NHW structure may operate or about obtaining permits for members of accredited NHW structures, they may contact the Department of Community Safety’s NHW unit by e-mailing Neighbourhood.Watch@westerncape.gov.za.
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