Anti-crime crusade began in Grade 7

WHEN he burnt the old South African flag at the age of 12 in Grade 7, Hanif Loonat, knew he wanted to join the fight against crime.

“The fact is that we have an ineffective law enforcement entity. Criminals and gangsters seem to get away with crime with impunity. The combination of this impacts on all communities, but more so on the disadvantaged communities,” said Loonat.

In high school, he continued his fight against apartheid and oppressive attitudes. “In fact, it led to me quitting varsity because of the challenges we faced. My activism continued into my marriage in 1981.”

After that, he became part of the Benoni Student Movement (BSM), which later became part of the United Democratic Front.

“After our dawn of the democracy, I was invited to assist with the policy-making of Community Police Forums late

(in) 1994. Ever since that, I was extremely active in crime-fighting. I was a member and exco member of the Alberton and Benoni CPFs. I later moved to Cape Town, where I continued my crime-fighting,” said Loonat.

He joined the Lansdowne

CPF in early 2006 and went on to become the chairperson in 2009. In 2010, he became the chairperson of the Nyanga cluster. The cluster comprised Athlone, Manenberg, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Philippi East, Philippi and Lansdowne precincts. He became the Western Cape Policing Board chairperson and he was removed from his position in 2013 when a new member was elected.

He was subsequently suspended by the board for allegedly criticising policing in some areas in the province.

After this, he decided he still wanted to fight against crime, despite what had happened with the police.

Loonat went on to become the chairperson of the cluster board comprising Athlone, Lansdowne, Grassy Park, Philippi, Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, Steenberg and Strandfontein precincts.

“Here again I was forced to leave by a motion of no confidence passed by corrupt and colluding members. I continue to serve my people in crime-fighting in my private capacity and enjoy doing so as I am not accountable to any legislated body.”

He said the punishment meted out by the criminal justice system did not match the crime committed.

“Far too often we see repeat offenders of serious crimes walking the streets. This leaves crime-fighting activists and law enforcement members disillusioned. Communities that protect criminals is of grave concern to me. We need to deal with the socio-economic issues at grass-roots (level),” said Loonat.