BY MBALI TANANA
Duncan Village resident Simphiwe Nyikana has literally put his life on the line for the safety of the local community.
Nyikana, 49, is an active member of the community policing forum (CPF) and sector policing forum, recovering stolen goods and handing over criminals to the Duncan Village police station.
Neighbour Sandisa Mbulawa, who nominated Nyikana, said she often heard people knocking on his door at all times of the day and night asking for assistance.
“He is the first person people go to when they have been burgled or mugged and in most cases he finds the culprits and recovers the goods.
“He sacrifices his time and he makes it his own problem to go after these criminals, sometimes without the help of the police.
“He does night and weekend patrols throughout. He also shares information on how to go about reporting crimes.”
Mbulawa said Nyikana went about the work without being paid and merely relied on a contract as a driver with the EPWP programme to survive.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch last week, Nyikana said he was passionate about the work he was doing in the community.
“When we started the committees there were many of us, but over the years others have come and gone. But because I will not succumb or allow myself to be threatened by criminals I am still doing this because I know nobody wants to part with something they have worked hard to achieve.
“The pain of buying the same thing twice is unbearable and nobody has to do that because their belonging is stolen, especially because people here are either unem-ployed or rely on social grants and piece jobs.”
Equipped with training from Business Against Crime, where he learned about patrolling, DNA and crime scenes among other things supplied by the police, Nyikana commended Designer Lighting for assisting them with torches, batons, pepper spray, reflectors and handcuffs.
“These items have come in very handy, but because of the season and illegal connections in this area, boots and jackets are also much needed.”
Noluthando Mva, 27, another neighbour, said she applauded the work done by Nyikana because not only did he fight crime, he had also managed to turn criminals from their lives of crime.
“So many times while I’m doing laundry at the communal taps I have heard guys who were criminals commend him for the work he has done and how he has put them on the right path.
“They gave up their criminal activities because they weren’t winning with him around and he has since opened their eyes and showed them the negative implications of their criminal career, and now their lives have been turned around.”
Ntombiyakhe Makhubalo, 47, who had experienced several burglaries in the past, said she felt more secure knowing there was someone like Nyikana in the community.
“He is virtually a one-man army and we need more people like him.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Man steps up for his community
Duncan Village resident Simphiwe Nyikana has literally put his life on the line for the safety of the local community.
Nyikana, 49, is an active member of the community policing forum (CPF) and sector policing forum, recovering stolen goods and handing over criminals to the Duncan Village police station.
Neighbour Sandisa Mbulawa, who nominated Nyikana, said she often heard people knocking on his door at all times of the day and night asking for assistance.
“He is the first person people go to when they have been burgled or mugged and in most cases he finds the culprits and recovers the goods.
“He sacrifices his time and he makes it his own problem to go after these criminals, sometimes without the help of the police.
“He does night and weekend patrols throughout. He also shares information on how to go about reporting crimes.”
Mbulawa said Nyikana went about the work without being paid and merely relied on a contract as a driver with the EPWP programme to survive.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch last week, Nyikana said he was passionate about the work he was doing in the community.
“When we started the committees there were many of us, but over the years others have come and gone. But because I will not succumb or allow myself to be threatened by criminals I am still doing this because I know nobody wants to part with something they have worked hard to achieve.
“The pain of buying the same thing twice is unbearable and nobody has to do that because their belonging is stolen, especially because people here are either unem-ployed or rely on social grants and piece jobs.”
Equipped with training from Business Against Crime, where he learned about patrolling, DNA and crime scenes among other things supplied by the police, Nyikana commended Designer Lighting for assisting them with torches, batons, pepper spray, reflectors and handcuffs.
“These items have come in very handy, but because of the season and illegal connections in this area, boots and jackets are also much needed.”
Noluthando Mva, 27, another neighbour, said she applauded the work done by Nyikana because not only did he fight crime, he had also managed to turn criminals from their lives of crime.
“So many times while I’m doing laundry at the communal taps I have heard guys who were criminals commend him for the work he has done and how he has put them on the right path.
“They gave up their criminal activities because they weren’t winning with him around and he has since opened their eyes and showed them the negative implications of their criminal career, and now their lives have been turned around.”
Ntombiyakhe Makhubalo, 47, who had experienced several burglaries in the past, said she felt more secure knowing there was someone like Nyikana in the community.
“He is virtually a one-man army and we need more people like him.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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