The Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, has urged the leadership of community police forums (CPFs) to reclaim their space at their local policing precincts.
The MEC made this call on February 8 during the induction of the newly elected leaders of the CPFs at the Johannesburg City Hall.
The induction was attended by over 1 000 newly elected CPF members, including station commanders based at their local policing precincts.
During the induction the priorities of the Gauteng 6th Administration for crime reduction was outlined and it provided creative ways on how to advance the role of CPFs and enhance proactive public participation in the fight against crime.
As part of an oversight role on law enforcement, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety is charged with the responsibility of monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the police, and evaluates the provision of policing services.
CPFs are an integral part of ensuring that the department executes its mandate of police oversight.
The MEC urged CPFs to reclaim their space at their local police stations and in their communities.
“CPFs are an integral part of policing strategies as they bridge the gap between the community and the local police.
“This structure has a mammoth task of assisting both the community and the police in identifying challenges and providing possible solutions, based on the local policing needs and priorities.
“The sooner the structures understand their role, the better they will be able to assist communities in the fight against crime,” said Mazibuko.
Mazibuko has commissioned for the vetting of CPFs to be conducted without delay and for CPFs to work with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.
“We are starting afresh with community police forums by reviving the structures and taking them through the vetting process.
“We are vetting members of the CPF to ensure that while we fight crime we do not have criminals among us,” said Mazibuko.
The MEC has also called on members of the CPF not to use the structure as a launch pad for their political careers.
Organisations that are interested in joining CPFs and willing to participate in their activities are urged to register their interest at their local police stations.
