A LETTER of appreciation was handed over to the Kokstad Police Station Commander by bikers of 911 Riders who are campaigning for rural safety throughout the country.
Bikers arrived in Kokstad on Monday evening and visited Kokstad Police Station on Tuesday morning before they left to other police stations in
SAPS spokesperson Captain Dumisani Ncongo said when bikers arrived in Kokstad they prayed for rural safety and handed over a certificate of appreciation to the station commander.
SAPS rural safety co-ordinator Warrant Officer Steven Strydom welcomed the bikers and thanked them for paying a visit to Kokstad.
“The mission of the 911 Riders is to show appreciation towards the good work done by the local SAPS in prevention and safe-keeping of the rural community which includes farm communities and citizens who do not have easy access to government police stations, especially, from rural areas.
“Our purpose of visiting Kokstad Police Station is to say ‘no’ to crime in rural communities,”said chairperson of 911 Riders, Past Mare.
Bikers asked people to add value in the fight against crime, saying police cannot win the battle of crime without community support. Mare said to achieve the “Feel free, feel safe” perception, there must be a promotion of rural development, increased community safety awareness, and a multi-disciplinary approach.
He called for skills development and awareness campaigns to prevent unnecessary murders and community involvement in the prevention of murders and problem solving.
“For every farmer that is killed, the country does not only lose a valuable family member, but an opportunity of supplying food and creation of employment.
There is no country or a community that can exist without farmers and farm workers.
Our belief is that through partnership we can make a difference in our societies,” Mare said.
