VIDEO: What is the role of the CPF?
WATCH: Zaheer Gangat, Randfontein CPF executive committee chairperson explains their role in the community.
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Crime is an eyesore and a concern all over South Africa; that’s why Community Police Forums (CPFs), security companies and the police are more important than ever.
Zaheer Gangat, Randfontein CPF executive committee chairperson said, “We are not here to do policing and catch criminals. Our role is rather to prevent crimes before they happen. Sometimes we have to step in and do a citizen’s arrest, but we are working hard, essentially to prevent crimes.”
“The CPF serves the community by representing them. It is the community protecting the community. We need to protect ourselves because safety begins at home.”
According to him the CPF, the police and security companies should not see each other as competition, because they are all working towards the same goal – fighting crime in our community, because crime affects everyone.
“We have had joint operations in the past where we have assisted the police to do their jobs. But we have certain limitations and we have to draw the line at some point, because we are cannot do their work for them. The CPF is the middleman between the community and the police.”
“Our main goal when partnering with the police and security companies is to show strength and that the community and the police can stand together,” Gangat said.
According to Gangat, the current crime trends in the area include vehicle thefts, house breakings and theft out of vehicles. The crime hotspots in Randfontein are the CBD, certain residential areas, and the plots.
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