COMMUNITY Policing Forums (CPFs) are organisations forming a bridge between the police and the public.
This co-operation between the community and security forces has become imperative since the KZN unrest last year.
Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, a minister in the president’s office, said on 22 July 2021, an excess of 300 people died and more than 200 shops were the target of looting in the KZN and Gauteng provinces.
Nick Nzama, Hillcrest resident and one of the founders of The Outer West Business and Community Initiative, spoke to the Highway Mail recently on the importance of CPFs and the role they played in revitalising the organisation in his area.
“It is the only constitutional structure that can liaise with and hold the South African Police Services (SAPS) to account. The CPF now has an office, and a sponsored vehicle with sponsored fuel, the cost of which is shared between various service stations in Hillcrest,” he said.
The forums have representation from both the police force and the public and are intended as a way to control crime and improve police service and legitimacy.
The main objectives of the CPF are to establish partnerships and encourage co-operation between the police and communities. The CPF seeks to hold the police accountable for the communities’ needs and thereby, improve the public’s confidence in South African law enforcement.
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According to the Community Policing Directorate Team, the CPF is a platform where community members, organisations, other relevant stakeholders and the police meet to discuss local crime-prevention initiatives.
To join your closest CPF, approach your local SA police station and ask for the CPF officer or station commissioner. They will give you details of the CPF chairperson and where to attend meetings.
Pinetown Central/Ward 18 Community Policing Forum Meeting
Date: Thursday, July 14 at 06:00
Location: Pinetown Civic Centre Chamber Boardroom, Ground Floor Civic Centre. Entrance on Crompton Street through the boom gate.
Chairperson of Pinetown Central CPF, Etienne van der Merwe, says that that all Ward 18 residents are welcome.
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