Nirvana CPF tell their side of the story regarding branding of vehicles
Several vehicles of the Nirvana Community Policing Forum (CPF) were seized and one of their members arrested because their patrol vehicles are branded with an emblem and insignia similar to that of the police.
POLOKWANE – The CPF member was arrested by police while on duty in civilian clothing outside a school in Nirvana while the suspect was ensuring the safety of scholars as they were leaving school. He is currently out on bail.
Read more: Two arrested in Polokwane for alleged illegal use of Police insignia and emblems
Arshad Chayya, the attorney representing Nirvana CPF, stated the man who was arrested was merely carrying out an instruction to conduct patrols and had no involvement in the branding of the vehicles. The ordeal has led the Nirvana community to believe their participation in community safety is not appreciated by police.
The vehicles were purchased approximately five years ago and have had the branding since then.
Chayya said the vehicles did not bear the emblem of the police. It did bear some similarities, however, which is the cause of the problem. At the time the vehicles were branded, a number of police officials were approached and the CPF can name them. Furthermore, these vehicles were known to the police since the beginning as they have on numerous occasions been used in operations in the presence of police members, Chayya said.
“The ordeal has had a negative impact on the member that was arrested as well as the CPF. Nirvana CPF is disheartened and disappointed about how the ordeal was handled. At no point did the member pose as a police officer or introduce himself as one. They should have been informed that the branding was not acceptable and surely would have taken steps to rectify any error and the matter could have been easily rectified through proper communication channels.”
He added he has been informed, the CPF will hold a meeting this week with its executive members, with one of the topics on the agenda to dissolve the CPF after the said incident.
“Nirvana CPF has been in existence for 12 years and I hope for the sake of the community and after all the members’ efforts, they will decide against this. The CPF has in the past enjoyed a good working relationship with police, especially the Westenburg police. In fact, when CPF members contacted the Westenburg police it seemed as if they knew nothing about the incident and only learned about it from the Nirvana CPF. As mentioned already, the CPF on a number of occasions assisted police in operations where these vehicles were used. I may also add the vehicles were introduced due to the lack of police vehicles to patrol in areas like Nirvana and as such the CPF merely intended to assist the police in the fight against crime. These vehicles were never involved in the commission of any crime and have only assisted in crime prevention and the fight against crime,” Chayya said.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, could not give comment as investigations are still underway. “The case has not yet been enrolled in court because we are still investigating. We will give an update as soon as we have completed our investigation,” he said.
