Douglasdale CPF elects members
DOUGLASDALE – Many positions had one person nominated, but two main positions required the voice of the community and their votes.
New members of the Douglasdale Community Police Forum (CPF) were elected by the community on 25 November during an elective meeting at the Indaba Hotel.
The meeting opened with a prayer, and community members from all four sectors were welcomed by Thabo Thibe from the provincial Department of Community Safety.
Thibe explained the process in which members will be voted in and announced. Seven members were to be elected that night. Obed Mulaudzi, chairperson of the Honeydew CPF was also present and assisted in the voting process.
Most positions in the CPF had one nomination, but the chairperson and crime prevention officer were in need of members to vote between two people.
Sector 1 chairperson, Franzois Oosthuizen and Sector 2 chairperson Lizzy Mabena went head to head for the chairperson. After a short speech from each candidate and a close vote, Mabena was announced as the new Douglasdale CPF chairperson.
Newly elected chairperson Mabena showed immense gratitude for the nomination.
“Part of my reasoning for joining the CPF was due to Sector 2’s immense level of crime in the Douglasdale precinct. I wanted to do something towards the community and provide a solution, not just be a spectator,” she said.
“As community members, we have to take an obligation on ourselves to do our best to envision the type of community that we want to live in. That means stepping up and being a part of the solution.”
There were five positions which only had one nominee. They were announced as:
• Deputy chairperson: Reza Bardien
• Secretary: Madeleine Bruckmann
• Deputy secretary: Pani Harito
• Treasurer: Yanus Kaka
• Public relations officer: Roger Biggar
The crime prevention officer also had two candidates in Alwyn Scholtz and Oosthuizen. Scholtz came to be announced as the new crime prevention officer after another vote by community members.
Mulaudzi said the job of being in a CPF is often a thankless one, and that members need to put their political views and differences aside.
“We are looking forward to seeing the way in which Douglasdale contributes towards the fight against crime,” Mulaudzi said.
Thibe said he would organise with Mabena and Bardien, as chairperson and deputy chairperson respectively, the induction date and the handover.
“Members of the community are welcome to come for the induction ceremony. They are your representatives.
“What we will do at the induction is explain the roles of those in the CPF, what the CPF does, their responsibilities and so on,” he concluded.
