Gold Fields : South Deep and Qhubeka hand over bicycles to Community Policing Forums

South Deep and Qhubeka hand over bicycles to Community Policing Forums

Monday, 11 June 2018

Johannesburg, 9 June 2018: Crime has a major impact on host communities around Gold Fields' South Deep mine in Westonaria, south-west of Johannesburg. To combat this the mine is working closely with the Westonaria and Bekkersdal SA Polices Services (SAPS) and the Community Policing Forums (CPFs) in the ten host communities adjacent to the mine.

The mine's Protection Services Unit co-operates with these entities in sharing information, keeping each other informed of crime and supporting community activities. The work of the CPFs' 190 voluntary patrollers is critical in this effort.

To support the CPF patrollers South Deep and the South Deep Community Trust have donated over R300,000 to the Qhubeka Charity to supply 105 bicycles and 75 winter jackets to the patrollers. The Bekkersdal CPF has 145 patrollers and Westonaria 50 patrollers. Qhubeka Charity, is a non-profit organisation, started in 2005, to address the transportation challenges in communities by providing them with hardy bicycles.

'We believe the involvement of Qhubeka will provide a wide range of benefits to our host communities, including for learners who currently walk to schools and SMMEs, which require transport to be more effective,' says Geralda Wildschutt, South Deep's Sustainable Development manager.

'The CPFs appreciate the donation since the lack of mobility hampers the work of the patrollers. Bicycles will help them cover greater distances, be more visible and respond faster to incidents of crime faster. The provision of bicycles, warm jackets and training will increase the status of patrollers as well as their effectiveness. The presence of CPF members at the monthly South Deep community meetings has also helped in targeting anti-crime initiatives to meet the needs of our communities,' adds Wildschutt.

Enquiries

South Deep Sustainable Development

Geralda Wildschutt
Mobile: +27 71 857-4147
Email : Geralda.Wildschutt@goldfields.com