Sophiatown CPF is on a path of renewal to help combat crime

Sophiatown Police Station is in the spotlight after community members protested against a perceived lack of action to curb high murder rates.

District Commissioner Major General Max Masha has promised tough action in Westbury to prevent future deaths and find those responsible for past ones.

The paper has looked into the efficacy of the Sophiatown CPF in light of these developments.

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When speaking to community members at the protest, it was clear that over the last couple of years there has been two driving forces which resulted in the CPF becoming not only smaller, but less trusted.

One was the Covid-19 pandemic that hit soon after the newly elected CPF in 2019 and which saw many people resign as they tended to personal matters and needs. The other was the interruption of the chairman’s ability to execute his role when he stood as a political candidate to become ward councillor in the local government elections.

“We have come out of the pandemic and are committed to rebuilding a CPF that works for all of our communities and is represented in all sector crime forums,” said CPF chair Gul Malgas. He explained how – with the support of the station and those individuals who have remained – they are on a path of rebuilding the important community body.

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Nicholas Rosenblum, chair of the sub-Sector 1 Crime Forum for Westdene said, “I am looking forward to the next few months to see how we can improve relations within the CPF and become more active in order to have a bigger impact on the communities we serve.

Jefferson Johnson from Sector 1, which covers Westbury concurred, “We have had many challenges lately in my community and with the CPF not working efficiently in recent times we want to rebuild and work with anyone who wants to help us. The biggest concern I have though is the feeling that we do not have the support of the police.

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Malgas and Fairland CPF chair, who is also the chair of the Johannesburg sub-district, Gulam Karim believe that the station is in support of the CPF and wants to work with it to help improve policing and related efforts in all communities.

Karim said, “Thabo Thipe from the office of the MEC has been tasked to resuscitate the CPF and sector crime forums. As soon as they are ready, we will move with them to have new elections and we look forward to working with them more.

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Malgas said one of the biggest challenges they face is finding volunteers who are willing to step forward and join their quest. If you would like to speak to Malgas about becoming a volunteer for the CPF, call him on 072 433 6002.

Areas covered by the Sophiatown police precinct:

• Sector 1: Coronationville, Westbury and Westdene.
• Sector 2: Bosmont, Claremont, Industria North, Kathrada Park, Montclare, Newclare, Newlands and Waterfall Place.
• Sector 3: East Town, Montgomery Park, Northcliff Ext 9 and 13, Roosevelt Park, Waterfall Estate and Westpark Cemetery.
• Sector 4: Albertskroon, Greymont, Martindale and Sophiatown.

Sophiatown police did not respond to questions posed to them at the time of going to print.

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