Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Not escaping the devastation of the recent events, Northern KZN, in a matter of moments, lost over 40 businesses ravaged by looters in Madadeni, Osizweni, and Blaauwbosch. Yet, Newcastle, surrounded by the aforementioned areas, remained a stronghold during the carnage, with looters quickly learning that our local community would not tolerate injustice and criminality.
However, as normality appears to be resuming, our Editor spent some time with Ithemba Security’s Operational Director, Morne Potgieter. As the man on the forefront, dealing with these acts of terrorism from the start—he explains what ran through his mind when first receiving the call, to now days later.
On Monday, 12 July 2021, Potgieter sent out a call for assistance, requesting security personnel and community members to help in stopping a situation from streaming into Newcastle. This is after looters had begun rampaging businesses in Madadeni and Osizweni.
Looking back on the day, Potgieter explains that the moment things took a chaotic turn, his instincts immediately kicked in, allowing him to start the necessary preparations to protect the Newcastle community. He elaborates, “I knew we had to save Newcastle and not to look at the smaller picture, but rather at the larger.” Further explaining, after seeing what had unfolded in Madadeni, he could not allow the Newcastle community to suffer the same fate. “It would not have been fair on the people, and I knew we had to stop the criminality.”
Following his call for help, hundreds of Newcastillians rose to the occasion. An event, which Potgieter says pulled at his heart, especially seeing the unity among the people who call Newcastle their home. “The community taking hands, irrespective of race and background, was more than my heart could handle. It was about people coming together because it was the right thing to do.”
The hundreds of courageous people were then efficiently divided into groups through deliberate planning, joining forces with the SAPS at strategic locations in town. Additionally, numerous brave residents also offered to patrol their respective suburbs.
According to the security professional, the first two nights saw 782 people coming to assist in keeping any threat at bay. The third night marked approximately 800 Newcastillians divided up at the respective checkpoints.
Rallying together to uphold justice with the community on high alert, patrols in effect and checkpoints established, Potgieter admits Newcastle did have two close calls. The first incident saw one or two windows broken in town, but this rebellion was crushed before gaining any momentum. In comparison, the second close call took place at the Newcastle Mall, where a large group of people intended to storm the shopping complex. Fortunately, Potgieter says the community stood firm with security personnel and the police, successfully expelling the criminals from the area.
As things now dissipate, reflecting on the entire situation, Potgieter explains that what stood out for him was how close the Newcastle community is. “People can say there is diversity, but no one realises how close we all are, and I mean all the races. I have seen that South Africans are hard-working people, who put faith in what they do and stand for.”
It is for this reason, evil might occasionally touch our town, but the Newcastle community will not tolerate it nor allow it to stay. People have shown the true meaning of ubuntu, joining hands in times of need.
Join us in celebrating all the local heroes by leaving a message. Or share your views in the comment section below.
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7 Responses
I think it was brave of them to join. They don’t know how much it means to everyone. Just goes to show that our town has people who are able to stand together. Unfortunately it took something like this to happen to bring everyone together. But let’s not leave it there. I think we should all still stand together.
Thank you yo all who go out their way
And offer up time and sleep to protect our town
May God protect you when you out on patrol
Shalom
Thank you Newcastle for standing together.
To all out there. The comunity our ears and eyes on the ground. Our ladys that kept us inform. The security companies. The Saps. The chinese ppl .The ppl with refreshment. You all played a different and yet important role. Without any of you our town will be dust. We do appreciate all of you. We know you are tired to. Please keep it up. WE ARE PROUD OF ALL. AND THANKFULL.×××
I would like to thank each & everyone of You, our Wonderful Guardian Angels, for keeping Us & our Loved Ones, safe & secure !!!
I am eternally grateful to ALL of You!!!
GOD bless You ALL…. 🙏🏻👼🏻🙏🏻👼🏻🙏🏻
Thankyou to everyone who withstood the cold to be out there protecting us thankyou to all the wonderful people that rode around feeding our heroes Us as a community salute you all you are true heroes God bless each and every one of you I cant find words to describe how my heart bursts with pride being part of this amazing community
Warm greetings to our Newcastle community. Hats off to each and every person involved in keeping our Town, businesses and infrastructure safe. A special thanks goes out to Morne, Ismaeel and Imraan you guys have done an amazing job together with Saps, your community teams and military, we thank you for the sacrifice esp being away from your families and loved ones at this difficult time. We once again show South Africa that Newcastle will always come together in any circumstances and protect and fight for what is right. We’ll done. We’ll done to the media as well for keeping us updated with all the latest news. God bless stay safe Newcastle go out in your numbers and get the vacine as well
i want to say thanks to all off Newcastle men that stood up and save NEWCASTLE FROM LOOTING, YOU ATE ALL VERY BRAVE, WE REALY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ATE DOING