National Patroller Programme for Community Safety

Speaking at the release of the third-quarter crime statistics in Hatfield, Pretoria, on Friday, 20 February, Cachalia said the initiative would revive community policing structures and provide stipends and training to participating members.

“We will be looking at re-invigorating community policing by establishing a national community patroller programme that will run in each province. I have tasked the Civilian Secretariat for Police to develop the concept and funding model, with the objective of enabling community members to receive training and stipends to assist with improving safety in their localities,” he said.

Cachalia stressed that patrollers would not perform formal policing duties but would serve as visible deterrents and community liaisons.

“They will not be undertaking policing functions but will be deployed to ensure there are people who can call the police and, through their presence, help prevent crime in areas such as transport nodes, walkways, around schools and other identified hotspots.”

The announcement was made alongside Deputy Ministers and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

Cachalia said the intervention aims to promote law and order in communities where residents sometimes resort to vigilantism when crime persists, placing further strain on police resources.

He also called for stronger collaboration across government departments — including health, education and social development — to advance the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS) through aligned service delivery and targeted interventions.