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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Mossel Bay is the first municipality to boast a newly-trained first responder team in the Western Cape.
The 13 women and 31 men were trained to assist the police in crowd management. The unit will operate as part of Community Safety within the local municipality.
From 30 May to 10 June, the police trained the recruits in Hartenbos at the Bnei Akiva camp in the basics of crowd management. Only two members of the original intake did not complete the course, due to injury.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mossel Bay first responder team
Captains George Gildenhuys and Arno Stramroodt, from SAPS human resource development in George and Paarl respectively, along with a group of seasoned trainers, presented this tough and physical course.
Gildenhuys said this pilot group was the first of its kind in the Western Cape.
"We have had several enquiries from across the province. This may be the first of others to follow," said Gildenhuys.
'Found competent'
Executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, explained that talks on training a first responder unit to assist SAPS in crowd management were held in 2021.
"Government moves slowly and I thought this would never happen, but true as Bob, here we are today."
He expressed his pride and gratitude to the SAPS Cluster for its swift action in this collaborative effort with the municipality.
VIDEO - Mossel Bay leads the way with training of first responders (Video: Jannie du Plessis, Mossel Bay Advertiser).
"During the past two weeks, you were tested and found competent. You will have the authority to deal with the residents of Mossel Bay. Do this with respect, be fair but strict, act like leaders and set the example. Always remember that you act on behalf of the municipal council of Mossel Bay," Kotzé told the trainees.
Superintendent Antoinette Snyders, assistant chief of municipal Traffic Services, who took over the training for the following two months from Monday, 13 June, expressed her pride in the group's accomplishment.
"I told you that these may be the most difficult weeks of your lives, but when you are done, you will have a sense of pride and accomplishment that you have not experienced before."
Captain Arno Stramroodt, the training facilitator, explained that the programme focused on three aspects – discipline, respect and teamwork.
Deputy district manager of the police, Brigadier Belinda Pather, pointed out that against the background of the terrible unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021, additional resources such as the first responder group in Mossel Bay had become a necessity.
"At this stage in our country, circumstances and talk indicate we need to be prepared."
VIDEO -First responders display their skills (Video: Jannie du Plessis, Mossel Bay Advertiser).
Blood, sweat and tears
Chantal Petersen, one of the trainees, said it was "two weeks of hell, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience".
Sonwabo Dineso said that first and foremost, he had learnt that "discipline is the cornerstone of success".
"Without it, nothing meaningful in life can be achieved. Thank you to the Mossel Bay Municipality for investing in us."
Family members of the trainees were present at the completion ceremony. The trainees demonstrated the armadillo technique and escort movement.
Their training included 21 modules relevant to crowd management law, such as the Gatherings Act, Criminal Procedures Act, Firearms Control Act, use of force, crime scene management, arrest techniques, statement taking and others.
Gerswhin Rhode and Aseza Mncele proved that dynamite comes in small packages by being named the top two trainees.
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