Montclair CPF chairman sets record straight
A financial statement is compiled on a monthly basis by our co-opted treasurer and an audited financial statement will be tabled at the CPF AGM as prescribed by the constitution.
EDITOR – In response to Mark Francis’s open letter in the SUN of 20 June regarding the Montclair Community Policing Forum and the Montclair / Woodlands sub-sector police forum.
It is always encouraging to interact with concerned residents and even more so, when they are actively involved in seeking solutions in partnership with the relevant structures established in the community for that purpose. I do find it concerning that in the time that the Montclair / Woodlands sub-sector forum has been functioning, you, to my knowledge, have only attended one meeting. You will recall that you attempted to use that meeting as a platform to debate the CPF constitution that was democratically adopted in an unanimous vote by our community. It was agreed by the majority present at that meeting that we should stick to the agenda set for the meeting and I invited you to contact me personally to discuss any concerns you may have regarding the CPF constitution. To date you have not done so. I fail to understand your submission that the CPF have made very little or no effort to inform the community as, by your admission, you appear to be well aware of the current situation.
The facts are that Brenda Neil, the deputy chairman of Montclair / Woodlands sector police forum has resigned from this position. The planned meetings were therefore cancelled as there was no committee to convene the meetings. With the annual general meeting pending, it would not make sense to call a special general meeting for the sole purpose of electing new office bearers. This will be done at the AGM. In order to comply with the constitutional requirements, it was necessary to postpone this AGM. It will now take place on 15 July.
In response to your questions:
As stated, the Montclair / Woodlands sub-sector forum AGM will take place on 15 July. This will be at the Montclair recreational hall and starts at 6.30pm.
Montclair CPF has an executive meeting on the third Thursday of each month. CPF executive members attend and report back at all the sub-sector forum meetings and in so doing, more than satisfy the constitutional requirements for the CPF public meetings. The Clairwood business sub-sector forum meets on the last Thursday of each month, the Yellowwood Park / Woodhaven sub-sector forum was meeting on the first Monday of each month but this has recently changed to the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting for that sub-sector will therefore take place on 8 July.
The Montclair/ Woodlands sub-sector forum have been meeting on the first Tuesday of each month. The setting of dates for the monthly meetings will be the responsibility of the new committee to be elected at the AGM.
As you are aware, the chairman and deputy-chairman both resigned from the Montclair / Woodlands sub-sector forum. Unfortunately the secretary has found it increasingly difficult to fulfill her duties due to personal reasons, therefore a new committee will be elected at the upcoming AGM.
A number of the CPF executive committee members were removed from office due to their failure to perform their duties in terms of the constitution. Where necessary, these positions were filled by members of the community who were co-opted into the positions, in accordance with the constitution.
The Montclair CPF executive committee currently consists of the following elected members: Chairman Gavin Hegter, PRO Robyn Needham, assistant secretary Bonga Mosia, Yellowwood Park / Woodhaven sub-sector forum representative Chris Van Den Berg and the Clairwood business sub-sector forum representative Shaffie Mohamed.
The following members were co-opted in terms of the CPF constitution: Secretary Shanyn Bosman and treasurer Andy Hart.
The SPF or rather sub-sector forums do not have a financial report as in terms of the CPF constitution, all financial matters are handled by the CPF. A financial statement is compiled on a monthly basis by our co-opted treasurer and an audited financial statement will be tabled at the CPF AGM as prescribed by the constitution.
Mr Francis, if your concerns are truly as a concerned resident, they are welcomed and I would like to invite you to become more involved in the formal structures within your community. I must however state that in view of your association with a local ‘security company’ who have publicly launched an attack on the Montclair CPF and against me personally, together with your joining this ‘security company’ in a march arranged by a political party, against Montclair SAPS, Montclair CPF and our elected ward councillor, I must question the motives behind your submission. I truly hope that your intentions are in the best interest of our community who I will continue to serve without fear or favour.
