WATCH: Angry residents lead ECPF elections last night
During the meeting, which lasted over three hours, residents had to repeatedly call for leaders to cease bickering about issues in order for the voting process to proceed.
Residents took the opportunity at the Edenvale Community Police Forum’s (ECPF) annual general meeting (AGM) to voice their anger regarding lingering issues which seem to hinder crime fighting in Edenvale.
While the meeting held on Thursday night last week was geared at electing the new executive committee for the ECPF, unanswered questions from previous meetings were once again brought up, much to the disappointment of the community members who arrived in their numbers to vote for their new CPF committee.
During the meeting, which lasted over three hours, residents had to repeatedly call for leaders to cease bickering about issues in order for the voting process to proceed.
In her report of her term in office, former ECPF chairperson Mrs Linda McKenzie said it was necessary for her to reflect on the successes and challenges of her term prior to the elections.
“Your present executive committee have shown their worth for this community by patrolling the streets on a daily basis, even up to one and two o’clock in the morning,” said Mrs McKenzie.
She added that the ECPF’s executive committee had served under five station commanders since their term started.
“During our term of office we have introduced the two-way radio into various areas with great success and have also held successful monthly meetings with road closures,” said Mrs McKenzie.
She added that the formation of 34 WhatsApp groups aided in the reduction of crime.
“It is sad that from the past couple of CPF meetings it has become apparent that a group of individuals has taken it on themselves to try and discredit our CPF committee. We have been fortunate enough to understand what their agenda is of late and proof of which is available that the present CPF is not wanted. I have been of the opinion that if one does things for the wrong reasons, and at the expense of the majority, the majority will lose.
“We, your present committee, pledge that we have no hidden agendas and are transparent. Our sole purpose is to assist the SAPS and law enforcers, as well as the community to fight crime,” said Mrs McKenzie.
She then announced that herself and her entire committee made themselves available to serve the community for a further five year term.
The Edenvale SAPS station commander, Colonel Eddie Trollip, urged residents to not vote with emotion.
Before the commencement of voting, several questions were raised regarding matters from previous meetings.
Member of Parliament, MP Mike Waters, called for the outcome of the chair’s report over comments allegedly made on radio.
He also said that when asked in Parliament, the MEC for Community Safety said she did not give permission for the May meeting of the ECPF to be called off.
“The instruction was given by a member of her officer who did not have the jurisdiction to call off the meeting,” said MP Waters.
Mr Quinton Ndaba, the elected representative from the office of the MEC of Community Safety to oversee the election process, told MP Waters that he thought these issues had been dealt with at the previous meeting.
“If we keep recycling old issues, where are we going?” Mr Ndaba said.
Former ward 92 councillor, Clr Graham Gersbach, accused Mr Ndaba of deflecting the issues.
Angry residents urged community leaders to proceed with the voting process as it was getting late.
Edenvale’s ward 19 councillor, Clr Bill Rundle, called for a point of order regarding the constitution used.
It was explained to Clr Rundle that the constitution which he was in possession of had not been implemented at SAPS Cluster level, which in turn meant it was not yet implemented at station level and therefore could not be used by the CPF for the current elections.
While another argument ensued, residents again called for the voting to proceed. Some residents left, saying they felt their time was wasted between the bickering.
A total of 19 residents were nominated to represent the CPF executive committee. Of the 19, only 11 would stand at the next round of elections.
Linda McKenzie, Prince Mathabula, Mike Bell, Sheryl Damerall, Annie Bell, Ian McKenzie, Kerry Glass, Sean Vogt, Joanne Taylor, Lesley Thomas and Shane Woodward were elected to stand for the next round of elections.
On Thursday, July 2, the 11 members will meet at the Edenvale Police Station to elect the new ECPF chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, deputy secretary and treasurer.
