By Lebogang Mokae
Pictures by Tsholofelo Koope
The message was clear “We are watching you”, from the Sobantu neighbourhood watch (SOB-NEI-WA) when they unveiled four warning boards placed around Sobantu on 16 June 2023. Each family contributed towards purchasing the boards and other safety equipment, including torches and reflector vests.
Community members accompanied by the Ward Councillor, Isaac Ruiter, Chairperson of the Community Police Forum Gopolang Plaatje members of the South African Police Service, Sector Commander, Kelebogile Sehako and people from other parts of Galeshewe, assembled at the Reformed Evangelical Church in Paballelo street. Then proceeded to the four corners of Sobantu, where the warning boards are mounted.
The objective of the boards is to warn potential perpetrators that Sob-nei-wa is watching them.
Thereafter the community and the guests went back to the Reformed Evangelical Church.
In his opening and welcoming speech, Lukhanyo Mabija, a community member, said, “We are here to show that the fight against the injustices of the past is not in vain. As the current youth, we are not just spectators of the scourge of drugs destroying our communities. We are here to say no to drugs and criminal elements it brings to our communities”.
Mabija mentioned challenges faced by the organisation, such as the use and sale of drugs by members known in the community, courts affording perpetrators bail, dismissed cases due to lack of evidence, house break-ins and lack of eagerness to patrol by the male youth.
Ward Councilor Isaac Ruiter praised the community for this initiative. He urged community members not to sell drugs, especially to youngsters, “as they kill our future leaders”, he alluded.
He spoke passionately against Gender-Based violence and femicide “as it impacts both physical and mental health and can lead to self-harm, loneliness, depression, and suicide ideation. We need to instill respect in the youth. Gender-based violence and femicide must be addressed. Children turn to drugs due to a lack of support at home”, said Ruiter.
Sergeant Sehako from South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant Sehako advised the community not to take matters into their own hands because that is against the law. She urged citizens to report acts of crime to the contact numbers on the warning boards.
Thabiso Leeuw, founder of Operation Fiela, said he was grateful that Sob-nei-wa joined hands with Operation Fiela if fighting crime and drugs in the neighbourhood.
Sob-nei-wa was established in November 2022 by three community members, Lerato Chabaesele, Thami Dlambula, and Charlie Selega, who were concerned about the increasing crime rate in their neighbourhood.
Sob-nei-wa adopted three strategies to safeguard the community: prevention, reaction and correction. These strategies entail taking responsibility for your safety. Reaction is when reinforcement is called in to help, which includes the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies. CORRECTION is the technique used to solve social evils in the community.
As a token of appreciation for using the church for meetings, Sob-nei-wa donated R500,00 to Reformed Evangelical Church.
A warm and hearty meal was served at the end of the gathering, cooked and prepared by community members. This was made possible by donations from the community and sponsorships from Shoprite Bakley Road, Pick ‘n Pay Seochoareng and other SMMEs.
“Re a kgolo ba dudi ba motse wa Sobantu, rare bontle jo a itirelwa!!
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