Camps Bay Neighbourhood - Up To Date

City declares war on crime

“It is not the violence of the few that scares me, But rather the silence of the many” Angus Buchan

Thank you Smiley for sharing your memorable words with CBW. The Residents of Camps Bay are thinking of you this week – the second anniversary of your immense loss of Jane. We also send our deepest sympathies to you on the untimely and sudden passing away of your Sister – you right hand, left hand, your absolute everything – as well as your BEST friend. She was there to support you at our CBW AGM and we cannot imagine how it feels to have lost your second anchor – within 23 months.

Keynote Address by Smiley van Zyl at BKM Candlelight Vigil - 13 April 2010

Good evening everyone and thank you Tony.

As Tony mentioned, it is exactly 2 years ago that I stood at Jane’s bedside, before finally turning off her life support system.

That evening I made her two promises. I told her that :

                She did not die in vain.

                I will turn her senseless murder into something meaningful for society.

I want to thank the entire community tonight, for assisting me in fulfilling this promise.

However, tonight is not just about Jane.

Tonight is about us as a community, standing in solidarity against crime.

Tonight is not about politics, or personal agendas, but about how we feel as a community, where we currently find ourselves, and where we need to go from here.

This evening has turned out a little different to what was originally planned.

I must bring to your attention that an attempt was made less than 24 hours ago by  High Ranking Officials to undermine tonight’s proceedings, but obviously they failed. Thank you Tony and everyone else responsible for saving the day.

Would it not be great if these Authorities would rather use their powers and time to fight crime, instead of trying to play political games with us, in an attempt to further their own careers ?

Thank You :

On behalf of the community I would like to thank every local Police Officer, Members of our Armed Response Units, as well as the BKM Members for their co-operation, efforts within our community, whom they so unselfishly serve, and dedicate their lives to. We simply cannot do without you.

While trying their best, SAPS have to endure our criticism every day of their lives, with very little praise. This includes me.

They also have to constantly put up with the political agendas of their own superiors.

I would like to assure them that our criticism is often born out of frustration for the System, and NOT meant to be personal.

Thank you for your unselfish sacrifices 24 hour-a-day.

However, the good news is :

Bergvliet, Kreupelbosch, Meadowridge, as well as the rest of Cape Town belongs to us, the innocent, tax paying, law abiding, citizens, and will NEVER be taken over, or be ruled by, the Criminal Element, as they will always remain in the minority.

NHW’s have now become a necessity, an institution, and are here to stay.

We must guard against taking them for granted and falling back into our comfort zones. We do not need another murder in our Valley such as Jane’s, to wake us up, and remind us of our actual situation. By then it is too late.

It is therefore important to always remember that the only difference between an armed robbery and a murder, is weather the shot was fired or not.

Never, ever forget that. . . . I certainly will not.

Like any successful organization, we are compelled to supply both the labour and the finance to run BKM successfully.

No-one is going to assist us – least of all Government who at times even feel threatened by our presence, success, and the role we play within our respective communities.

What is the solution and what do we NEED for the way forward ?

The ANC has taught us during the past 16 years, what power lies in numbers.  

We need to stand together and become more pro-active if we want to live in a safe crime-free suburb. It has become a privilege one has to work and pay for, and is no longer a right. Stop leaving the dirty work for the next person to do. Get involved.

We need to focus on the following :

1.            We need                                                                             EVERYBODY

2.            We need Patrollers 24/7                                              BKM

3.            We need armed back-up                                             Local POLICE + Armed Response

4.            We need                                                                             FUNDS

It is obvious that we are going to need our own on-going, long-term funding to sustain our efforts against crime. Criminals fund their syndicates with our own money. We need to create our own source of income if we wish to compete.

We will have to find a way to make something like CID affordable for all concerned in future. If you have a better solution, please let us have it as soon as possible.

5.            We need a Justice System that works - one that will stop favoring

the rights of the Criminal, above the rights of the Innocent Victims.

6.            We need the Right People in the Right Positions. This means :

We need a Government and people in Senior Positions who are not just there for their own glory and personal gain, but people who are prepared to take full RESPONSIBILITY for the state of crime in this country.

We, as citizens of South Africa, should stand up for our rights, and hold them ACCOUNTABLE for it. Stop criticizing. Do something !

How do we do this ?

Politicians , both local and national and irrespective the party, must understand that we, the Voters put them into their respective positions. If they continue to fail in delivering, we also have the power to remove them from these positions with the next election.

We are all tired of listening to their excuses. It is time that we demand results from them.

May the message we are trying to convey here tonight, ring out loud and clear, and be heard, not just in Cape Town, but all over South Africa.

Let us all remain positive, work together, and take our suburbs back.

I would like to finish off with the beautiful quote by Angus Buchan when he states :

“It is not the violence of the few that scares me,

  But rather the silence of the many”.

RIP Jane.

Smiley van Zyl

13.04.2010

For videos of BKM Vigil please visit Smiley van Zyl's You Tube Page

This article applies to: Middle, Rontree 1, Rontree 2, Glen, Bakoven, Village, Clifton, CPF