Provincial police commissioner needs time to review new CPF oversight functions

This was in order to allow time to review the extended powers of oversight functions that were put forward by the Gauteng Community Policing Board and the MEC of Safety and Security.

Jean Berdou, who is a legal adviser to the Gauteng Community Policing Board, explained that this instruction was issued in order to allow the national commissioner’s office more time to draw up and consider inputs and guidelines concerning new oversight powers. “The provincial board is pressing the office and hoping for the release shortly,” said Berdou.

He said the extended powers of oversight provide for wider community policing measures such as monitoring dockets, vehicles and personnel at police stations. All normal CPF functions are continuing, including the feedback on crime and other matters.

In a letter drafted to all station and cluster commanders in Gauteng, Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba instructed that no CPFs in the province would be allowed to preform any oversight function due to a lack of clarity on what the role the CPFs will have in oversight functions.

IRS Forensic Investigations said they have supported the initiatives of the Norwood CPF and sponsored various Norwood CPF campaigns. Founder and chairperson of IRS Chad Thomas said he was shocked by the provincial commissioner’s letter to the cluster and station commanders. Thomas said, “The CPF forms an extremely important role by bridging the gap between SAPS and the community.”

Kate Lorimer, DA shadow MEC for Community Safety believes that this a direct contravention of section 18 (1) of the South African Police Service Act, which states that SAPS will establish CPFs with the function of providing insight and transparency when is comes to the service SAPS provides and their operations.

Lorimer said, “Civilian oversight is a constitutionally mandated exercise which the police commissioner cannot simply suspend.”

According to Lormier, CPFs are a vital lifeline between communities and those designated to oversee their protection.

“The fight against crime in Gauteng cannot be won without the co-operation of all members of our society and to dismiss this critical oversight function is to place the safety and security of all of us at further risk,” added Lormier.

Provincial CPF chairperson Andy Mashaile said he would issue a statement on the matter on 21 July.

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