Amanzimtoti crime-fighting veteran takes over the helm at CCPO
Paul was upbeat that the CCPO passed its annual audit by 100% and its finances are stable.
The CCPO has a new chairman in Paul O’Neill, 56. As part of the civic crime fighting organisation for many years, almost since its inception, he has been involved in operations and a committee member.
He took over the chairmanship from Albert Swart after the AGM at the beginning of December. Asked what made him decide to take on the role, he answered “madness”, followed by a laugh. “Someone has got to take the helm – the post has to be filled.” With his background in police work and the love he has for his home town, the CCPO could not be in better hands, especially in these turbulent times the world is living in.
Born In Umbogintwini, it was a short walk to Twini Primary for Paul, before progressing to Amanzimtoti High. After school, he joined SAPS and was posted to Toti from 1983 to 1985. “I then joined a specialised unit in Durban, dealing with riots, until the end of 1989. From there I went into private security, where I was involved in electronic counter-intelligence and specialised bodyguarding.”
His work took him to places like Tanzania in East Africa, but he always returned home to Toti. “This is where my heart is, in this town.” His other loves include his partner of 28 years, Amanzimtoti SPCA manager, Tracey Girling and their two Rottweiler ‘kids’, Ziva and Zadok.
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“As chairman, I want the CCPO to carry on building its good relationship with ET Rapid Response, Blue Security and National. We need more roleplayers on board and to build relationships with them. We have a special relationship with SAPS – without them, we wouldn’t be able to do our job.
Our committee has increased with three new members, which is now eight in total, and we all have our specific roles. We need to continue receiving information from the community – if we don’t receive it, we cannot act. I thank Albert, the outgoing chairman, for the direction he took the CCPO in and want to continue building on this. I thank the existing committee members for their support and also welcome new committee members, Craig Upton (vice-chairman), Brett Smith and Matt Cohen.”
With a loss of about 1 000 paying members, due to the lockdown and financial constraints, and now sitting at 3 800, Paul was upbeat that the CCPO passed its annual audit by 100% and its finances are stable. “It has been a struggle (since lockdown). We do need to increase our members, because the more we have on board, the more we can do on the road. Shaun Callaghan is in the process of updating our website, so that people can join online.”
Fees per month: Unit or flat – R102; residential – R183; pensioner rate: Unit or flat R90; residential R149; small business – R440. For more information or to join, visit ccpo.co.za, email info@ccpo.co.za or call the office on 031-903-7037.
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