Neighbourhood Watches may continue to patrol during curfew

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, notes the Government Gazette – No. 43521 issued in terms of section 27 (2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, which sets in place a curfew. Minister Fritz clarifies that accredited Neighbourhood Watches (NHW) who have been issued with the appropriate permit by the Department of Community Safety (DoCS) may continue to operate during all hours.

The amendment to regulation 33 states that, “(1A) Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 21H00 until 04H00 daily, except where a person has been granted a permit, which corresponds with Form 2 of Annexure A, to perform a service permitted under Alert Level 3, or is attending to a security or medical emergency.”

Minister Fritz said, “As of 8 June 2020, DoCS has been issuing permits to accrediting NHWs which correspond with Form 2. This is in line with the letter issued by the Deputy National Commissioner, Lieutenant General SF Masemola on 5 June 2020 which outlines the conditions under which NHWs may operate, following the move from alert level 4 to alert level 3 of the lockdown.”

Minister Fritz continued, “NHWs can continue to utilize the permit as provided by the DoCS to patrol. It is essential that NHWs continue to patrol during the curfew hours as we know that these are the times in which crimes such as robberies and burglaries take place.”

Minister Fritz added, “Should you have any further questions on whether your NHW structure can operate or on obtaining permits for members of your accredited NHW structure, you may contact the Department of Community Safety’s NHW unit by emailing Neighbourhood.Watch@westerncape.gov.za.”