The participants came from AfriForum’s neighbourhood watches in Amanzimtoti, Durban, Vryheid, and Margate. These dedicated volunteers completed intensive training designed to prepare them to respond rapidly and effectively to high-risk incidents within their communities, AfriForum said in a statement.

Proto team training covers essential operational skills, including tactical firearms handling, advanced first aid and bleeding control, scene security, and coordinated response techniques. The course ensures that participants can operate safely and efficiently under pressure, complementing South African Police Service (SAPS) and emergency services in community-based safety operations.

This latest training session brings the total number of trained proto team members in AfriForum’s national network to over 370.

In addition to the proto training courses, AfriForum continues to offer basic neighbourhood watch training, empowering members with foundational safety knowledge on topics such as legal frameworks, communication, and coordination. The organisation currently supports 177 safety structures nationwide, powered by nearly 11,000 active volunteers.

“KwaZulu-Natal has seen its fair share of emergencies and violent crime incidents, and the need for well-trained community responders is more critical than ever,” said Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety. “These 15 new members have demonstrated exceptional commitment and courage. They now join a national network of volunteers ready to protect and serve their communities when seconds count.

“Our proto-training initiative continues to grow from strength to strength,” Broodryk added. “Each new group of trainees not only gains vital lifesaving skills but also strengthens the spirit of self-reliance and cooperation that lies at the heart of community safety.”

“As South Africa’s crime crisis deepens, AfriForum remains committed to equipping communities with the skills and resources they need to take ownership of their safety,” the organisation said.

The post AfriForum trains 15 new specialised responders in KwaZulu-Natal appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

The dry run took place on 11 May to test the system.

Two representatives per neighbourhood watch are permitted to join the WhatsApp group to communicate information to police as part of its response planning and execution.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith said community structures like neighbourhood watches are very often first responders, but also have an ear to the ground in their communities – making them valuable partners in the intelligence sharing space during times of crisis.

“So if, for example, we start hearing chatter about a protest or flooding or any other public safety risk, the organisations on our dedicated WhatsApp channel can easily help verify or confirm information, but more importantly, the platform will give them a direct line to our Joint Operations Centre. Other benefits are that we can cut through the noise far more easily, and more importantly, we are able to direct resources appropriately, and speedily.

On the day of the trial, there were scenarios in five areas – protest action in Hout Bay, Costa Da Gama (Muizenberg) and Sir Lowry’s Pass Village; as well as the escorting of food trucks in Strand, and a missing person in the Milnerton area.

‘This concept is very simple, but potentially incredibly valuable. The more credible information is available, the easier it is to plan, or respond, and who better to be involved than our safety partners at community level. This dry run will go a long way in helping to formalise this practice, and building it into our standard operating procedures going forward,’ added Smith.

The post City of Cape Town trials civil society intelligence grapevine to fight crime appeared first on ProtectionWeb.