The Police Pastors Forum (PPF) gathered at the Daveyton Church of Christ on December 3 for their AGM.
Community members, SAPS and spiritual leaders were also invited to be part of the AGM so they can also voice their concerns.
The forum was founded in 2013 after the death of Mido Macia, who was dragged by the the police through the streets of Daveyton behind a van.
Founder and advisor of the forum Dr Eddy Nkosi said the forum aims to bring peace, unity and a leading way towards a crime-free country.
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“The residents were angry with the police following that incident. I was invited by Capt Mesh Makole, who was a chaplain at the Daveyton SAPS, to mediate between the police and the community. That’s how I started the organistion,” said Nkosi.
“As the pastors in the forum we work as peacemakers in the community. We connect and intensify a working relationship among all the parties involved.”
The NPO is based in nine police stations in Ekurhuleni, with eight executive members and about 10 pastors who assist at each station.
Nkosi said the pastors who assist at the police stations must be pastors from the area.
“Our responsibility is to bridge the gap between the communities, the police crime prevention team, detectives and the management,” he said.
“As the residents we need to remember that criminals come from our households and we need to report them to the police if we want to curb crime and have peaceful neighborhoods.”
The founder added that churches need to teach people morals, humanity and try to restore those who have been rehabilitated.
“The forum also uses the Word of God to tell the stressed out officers that they don’t need to take their lives or that of their loved ones because God is there to help them,” said Nkosi.
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“We offer the officers and their families counselling, motivation and prayer. We understand how difficult their job is and it becomes easier when the community works with them.”
The executive members are Bishop Edwin Mariba (chairperson), Past Donki Twana (secretary), Rev Dumisani Nkosi (treasurer), Apostle Fanta Nonyane (PRO), Past Mayors Zwane (organiser), Dr Eddy Nkosi (chairperson advisor), Bishop Lettie Vakele (board advisor) and Apostle Grace Masondo (advisor).
The organisation thanked the Daveyton SAPS station commander, Col Nengal Chittiah, and Col Max Masha for not giving up on the forum’s vision.
Any pastors or churches who want to join the forum can visit their nearest police station.
