Strandfontein SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention leads prayer walk against crime

The Strandfontein SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention group held a prayer walk in Bayview on Wednesday, September 17, calling on faith to help combat crime.

Strandfontein police's Spiritual Crime Prevention Group coordinator, Sergeant Deon Coetzee, said the initiative aimed to tackle crime from a spiritual perspective.

“We can’t fight this battle physically. We need a higher force and authority to accomplish our will and plan as SAPS,” he explained.

He added that the prayer walk gave them an opportunity to connect with the community and walk in faith, trusting for guidance and strength to overcome the challenges posed by crime.

“Crime touches us all,” Sergeant Coetzee said.

Wavecrest resident and former police officer Ezra October said people had been silent for too long.

“We need to break the silence. We are at a critical time in the world. There is division everywhere. The church must rise again. In the past, Cape Town was renowned for prayer walks and gatherings. Previously, they tried to take prayer out of the police, parliament, and schools. We can’t allow this again,” he said.

He said there is a struggle in communities with violent crime, gangsterism, turf wars, drugs, corruption, and extortion.

“We must reignite the role of the church. Thanks to SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention, we can march and pray.”

Bayview resident Bianca Rhode said: “As Bayview and as a nation, we need this prayer walk to edify the nation and stand in it.”

Strandfontein resident Reverend Garlen Fredericks, who is part of SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention group, said: “We do everything in our power, whether by prayer or action, to reduce crime levels in our community. All crime is unacceptable. We should be a peaceful, loving, hopeful nation spreading love. I am glad, as a local pastor, to do my bit.”