Constitution

Paradyskloof Neighbourhood Watch

As amended and adopted at the Special General Meeting / Annual General Meeting held on 24 March 2026.

1. Name

The name of the Neighbourhood Watch shall be: PARADYSKLOOF WATCH.

2. Demarcation area

R44, Paradyskloof Road, Blaauwklippen Road, surrounding farm borders — see attached map.

3. Executive Committee

The Neighbourhood Watch structure shall be led by the following Executive Committee, as elected at the AGM/Special General Meeting:

• Peter Adolphs — Chairperson
• Wouter van den Heever — Vice-Chairperson
• Vacant — to be co-opted per clause 10.5
• Vacant — to be co-opted per clause 10.5

Additional members may be co-opted by the Executive Committee as provided in clause 10.5.

4. Aims

4.1 To nurture a sense of unity, dedication and good neighbourly relations among the residents of the area.

4.2 To serve as a watchdog for its community and the local police services, thereby assisting the local police services to safeguard its community against criminal activities and strive for a safe and secure environment.

4.3 To provide a channel through which the community can play a meaningful role in crime prevention.

5. Objectives

5.1 To comply at all times with the provisions contained in the Western Cape Provincial Constitution and Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Watch Structures.

5.2 To create public awareness with regard to safety, crime prevention and protection of families and their property.

5.3 To encourage the community to work in close co-operation with the Stellenbosch Police Services and other structures such as local authorities who are involved in law enforcement.

5.4 To ensure that the Neighbourhood Watch acts within the framework of the law.

5.5 To unite a diverse residency in creating a safe and crime free environment.

6. Membership

6.1 Membership of the Neighbourhood Watch is based upon the principles of non-racism, non-sexism, non-sectarianism and democracy.

6.2 Membership is open to all persons aged 18 (eighteen) and over who reside within the area of operation or have direct business interests in the area, irrespective of race, colour, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

6.3 Membership will be free and voluntary.

6.4 A membership register shall be kept by the Neighbourhood Watch structure and updated annually. The register must contain the address, identity number and telephone details of the members. This information is confidential and will not be made available to the general public.

6.5 Only those who have registered in accordance with 6.4 hereof shall be entitled to vote at Meetings of Paradyskloof Watch.

6.6 Membership must be validated annually.

6.7 The Executive Committee shall have the sole discretion to approve or reject an application for membership. If rejected the unsuccessful applicant shall have the right to request written reasons for refusal.

7. Termination of membership

7.1 A member may resign by informing the Executive Committee in writing.

7.2 The Executive Committee may in their absolute discretion terminate membership of any member provided that 10 (ten) days' notice is given of their intentions and that such notice contains full reasons for the Executive Committee's intended action. The Executive Committee shall consider any written reply.

8. Meetings of Paradyskloof Watch

8.1 There shall be an Annual General Meeting of Paradyskloof Watch by no later than May of each year at such time and at such place as the Executive Committee shall determine. At least 14 (fourteen) days' notice shall be given to members.

8.2 At such Annual General Meeting the business shall include the election of the Executive Committee.

8.3 The Chairperson of the Executive Committee may at any time call a Special General Meeting of Paradyskloof Watch at his/her discretion and shall call such a meeting within twenty days of receiving a written request from ordinary members to do so, signed by not less than 5 members of Paradyskloof Watch and giving reasons for the request.

9. Rules and procedures at all meetings

9.1 Quorum

9.1.1 The quorum at an Annual and/or a Special General Meeting of Paradyskloof Watch shall be not less than a third of the registered members.

9.1.2 The quorum at a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be 50% (fifty percent) plus 1 (one) of such Executive Committee.

9.2 Voting

All questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those members present and entitled to vote. No person shall have more than one vote, but in the case of an equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second casting vote.

9.3 Minutes

The Executive Committee and all other committees shall keep minutes, and the appropriate secretary shall enter a record therein of all attendees, proceedings and resolutions.

10. The Executive Committee

10.1 The Executive Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and such additional members as elected and/or co-opted at the Annual General Meeting.

10.2 The Executive Committee members will be assigned their portfolios at the first Executive Committee meeting after the Annual General Meeting.

10.3 The Executive Committee shall meet not less than once a quarter.

10.4 A member who is absent from three consecutive meetings without permission or apology shall cease to be a member of the committee.

10.5 The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members when necessary.

10.6 The Chairperson of Paradyskloof Watch, or a member of the Executive Committee appointed by the Chairperson, will be the only person/s entitled to make or issue any statement to the media of any matters concerning Paradyskloof Watch.

11. Indemnity

11.1 Paradyskloof Watch is not a legal person and functions within the guidelines as provided by and set out in the Western Cape Provincial Constitution and Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Watch structures.

11.2 All Paradyskloof Watch members clearly indemnifying Paradyskloof Watch will sign an acknowledgement to this effect. This acknowledgement will clearly state that Paradyskloof Watch is a voluntary association.

12. Liability

12.1 All individual members act in their own capacity, as individuals and liability will be in that capacity.

12.2 Paradyskloof Watch will not be responsible for civil and or criminal actions or omissions that are perpetrated by a member of Paradyskloof Watch.

12.3 All and any criminal and civil actions that are instituted against a member of Paradyskloof Watch will be against the member concerned and not Paradyskloof Watch.

12.4 Any member who brings Paradyskloof Watch into disrepute or who commits any crime in the course of his or her duties shall be charged with misconduct and the Executive Committee will report such crime to the South African Police Service.

13. Accountability

13.1 Paradyskloof Watch will be affiliated in the first instance to the Community Police Sub Forum Sector 2 and through them to the Stellenbosch Community Police Forum.

13.2 Paradyskloof Watch will be accountable to the SAPS.

13.3 The Provincial Constitution and Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Watch structures will be binding in so far as it is not in conflict with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Bill of Rights.

14. Registration and affiliation

14.1 Paradyskloof Watch will be registered as a Neighbourhood Watch with the appropriate authorities as required by the Provincial Constitution and Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Watch structures.

14.2 Paradyskloof Watch will be affiliated to the local Community Police Forum in order to be recognised by the Local South African Police Services in the area.

14.3 Further affiliations may be entered into with other Residents' Associations from the area.

15. Composition

The Neighbourhood Watch structure will consist of individual households and businesses in the clearly demarcated and agreed upon area as outlined in the map above.

16. Functions

16.1 The Neighbourhood Watch will promote good neighbourliness and foster a sense of community spirit.

16.2 The Neighbourhood Watch will assist the South African Police Services in crime prevention in their areas as far as possible/reasonable and without bringing themselves or others in harm's way.

16.3 The Neighbourhood Watch will adopt and support the social crime prevention strategy of the police as far as possible/reasonable.

16.4 The Neighbourhood Watch will act within the framework of the law.

16.5 Neighbourhood Watch members will have powers to perform a citizen's arrest and will adhere to and comply with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977.

16.6 The Neighbourhood Watch will work in partnership with the Community Police Sub Forum Sector 2 and through them the Stellenbosch CPF.

16.7 The Neighbourhood Watch will be responsible for initiating and implementing crime prevention projects in consultation with the Community Police Sub Forum Sector 2 and through them the Stellenbosch CPF.

17. Identity

17.1 All members of Paradyskloof Watch will have his/her national ID or SA drivers licence with them at all times during operations.

18. Private security partnership

18.1 Paradyskloof Watch may partner with local private security companies or companies of choice. All endorsed companies must be fully registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

18.2 The aim of these partnerships will be to aid in fulfilling the functions of Paradyskloof Watch as mentioned in clause 16.

19. Resolution of disputes

If any dispute arises, the Stellenbosch CPF will assist to resolve it.

20. Use and control of assets

20.1 Paradyskloof Watch will remain a non-profit-making organisation.

20.2 The year-end will be the last day of May.

20.3 Paradyskloof Watch may receive donations or sponsorships from private individuals or businesses for the financing of equipment and/or administrative costs. Such sponsored equipment will remain the property of Paradyskloof Watch.

21. Amending the constitution and Code of Conduct

21.1 Any alterations, additions or amendments to the Constitution and the Code of Conduct shall be passed at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting by a two-thirds majority of eligible members present at that meeting.

21.2 Thirty days' notice of any proposed alteration, addition or amendment shall be given in writing to the Secretary, unless introduced by the Executive Committee; in which case full details thereof should be included in the notice of the meeting.

22. Dissolution

22.1 Paradyskloof Watch may be dissolved by a majority vote of a duly constituted meeting and will follow the guidelines of the Western Cape Provincial Constitution and Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Watch Structures.

23. Dysfunctional Neighbourhood Watch structure

Paradyskloof Watch may be declared dysfunctional by a decision reached by the Paradyskloof Watch Executive Committee or on direction of the Stellenbosch South African Police Service / Stellenbosch CPF or Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety.

Acknowledgement