The Midrand Community Policing Forum recently held their annual general meetings across various sectors within the area.
At the AGM for Sector 3 on 26 October, their new board of members who would serve the community and fight crime was presented. Among the newly elected members was Marvin Maphiri, who has been a community member since 2006 and secretary for various body corporates.
Maphiri was elected as the new chairperson and said that he aims to improve the community’s crime-fighting solutions. “I, along with the members, aim to encourage each and every community member to partake in the CPF so we can fight crime at our best, united.”
He added that issues of car hijacking, drugs, rape and violence in the community had to be solved. The CPF will engage with schools and run awareness campaigns in partnership with the Department of Education. “I have also identified that when there are child-headed families within the community, we need to provide support to the families. Such situations of that kind lead to one committing a crime, therefore relevant stakeholders have to come on board.”
CPF Sector 3 public relations manager Thalethu Mandleni added that her role is to connect the CPF and community members. “A lot of people are on their cell phones and social media, so the community is informed, making sure there is a public and media presence which is active so that people do have a safe space to report matters of crimes.”
Mandleni concluded that people need to know that there are others within the community who ensure their safety and are easy to get in touch with. Former chairperson for the Sector 3 CPF, Mokete Makubakube added that he believes the new team will bring new ideas and approaches. “I am happy to share the experience that I have gathered over the years. I am more than confident that they are capable.”
Makubakube first joined the CPF in 2008 when, according to him, it was still unpopular and has been a chairperson since 2011, serving two terms.
He said that criminals have realised that the community is working together. “We come from a situation where there was not much awareness about crimes, reporting of crimes and community involvement. So far in the last five years, we have managed to have weekly patrolling in our communities, we have social media groups for alerts and reports.
“When we started we were one of the very first volunteers to come on board. Ever since it has grown mostly because of our engagement with the community while mobilising in such a way that now we talk about crime. We link up in our different networks, communicate and alert one another whenever crimes occur.”
Details: Public relations manager Thalethu Mandleni 060 315 4388.
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/224844/cpfs-fight-fight-crime/
