Police Oversight and Community Safety
Whether there has been a financial allocation in the 2023/24 financial year to assist neighbourhood watches in the service they render in the community; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
9. Yes, the Department has made a financial allocation to assist accredited neighbourhood and farm watch (NHW) structures in the province during the 2023/24 financial year. This allocation is R6,025,000.00. In addition, more existing staff members have been allocated duties relating to the support of NHW structures.
The Department invites NHW and farm watches to apply for accreditation, which provides certification that the NHW is compliant with good governance principles at the time of accreditation. In turn, accreditation provides access to numerous benefits sponsored by the Department, which includes:
- Training;
- Resourcing, by providing equipment;
- Funding of up to R10 000, provided upon application; and
- Soft support (conflict resolution and mediation).
The Department will continue to consider ways in which support can be augmented, to continuously improve the service delivery in the province. For any government to function optimally, particularly one that seeks to ensure that citizens can live in safer and dignified communities, the whole of society (WOSA) should participate. These brave and selfless men and women who volunteer of their own time should as far as possible be assisted with training, equipment and empowerment. NHWs continue to play a significant role in combatting crime, which we do not take for granted. We are eternally grateful to the more than 17 000 NHW members and other law-abiding volunteer structures for their efforts in combatting crime.
