Councillors deny accusations of not attending CPF meetings

Following a statement made by former chairperson of the Alex Community Policing Forum, Bulldog Rathokolo when he presented his overview report at the recent CPF elective meeting at Alexandra Police Station, Alexandra ward councillors have denied accusations that they do not attend forum meetings.

Rathokolo had chided the councillors for non-attendance of forum meetings, saying his former executive was dismayed by the councillors’ failure to attend.

“They [councillors] have never attended a single meeting of the forum and even today they have not shown up with the exception of [Ward 75] councillor [Chris] Mabunda,” said Rathokolo at the recent elective meeting.

Responding to the allegations, Ward 116 councillor Monde Mbingeleli said his attendance of the meetings was up to date. “Although I am not obliged to attend all CPF meetings, I make it a point that I attend all sector meetings within my ward.

“Those meetings I have not attended, I always ensure that I send them an apology, as they might coincide with other council work and meetings and appointments,” Mbingeleli said.

Mbingeleli said he was not at the elective meeting due to other commitments, but was told that an accusation had been made against councillors for failing to attend the meetings. “This is unfounded and I speak for myself as I have attended most of them.”

Ward 76 councillor Julia Moloi was equally surprised to hear that she never attended CPF meetings. “I always make it a point to attend as I get to know about some of the issues happening in my ward. Whenever I am not available, I ensure that an apology is sent to them,” she said.

Moloi pointed out that councillors have a plate full of activities and it may not be possible to attend each and every meeting of the CPF.

Ward 105 councillor Joyce Ngwenya, Ward 81 councillor Mokgadi Radebe and Ward 109 councillor Lilian Kekana could not be reached for comment.

Details: Monde Mbingeleli 082 464 2946; Julia Moloi 072 907 4155.