After the mid–year collapse of Alexandra’s Community Policing Forum (CPF), police are preparing for a fresh start in 2026. The disbandment, triggered by months of infighting and missed meetings, has become a turning point for how the CPF will operate in the future.

Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane, commander of Alexandra Police Station, said the forum had failed to meet its constitutional obligations and was dissolved after members themselves acknowledged the dysfunction.

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“The CPF has objectives and functions, but they were not fulfilling them. The decision did not come from me. It came from the members themselves. We tried to resolve the problem with the district, but it was not solved, so, we disbanded.”

The collapse exposed long–standing divisions. From the outset, rival groups backed different leaders, creating factions that undermined unity. Sector meetings, which are required to be held monthly, were often skipped, and executive meetings drew poor attendance.

Ngubane said this inconsistency weakened the CPF’s ability to represent residents and act as a bridge between the community and the police.

In response, police convened public meetings across Alexandra’s sectors and established an interim executive structure made up of two representatives from each sector. This temporary body will serve for 90 days while investigations are carried out into what led to the breakdown.

“When you disband, you investigate. We must go deep and find out exactly what led the CPF to this point. That feedback will guide the new members.”

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Looking ahead, Ngubane emphasised that the new CPF will be built on training, accountability, and consistency. Unlike the previous forum, members will undergo workshops to prepare them for their roles and to ensure they understand their constitutional duties.

Sector forums will be required to keep records of meetings, including minutes and attendance registers, and monthly gatherings will be enforced across all sectors.

Ngubane said these changes are intended to strengthen the CPF’s role as a voice for residents.

“I will be happy if every sector knows where and when to meet. If we have a structure like that every month, it will be easier than spending the whole month without going to the community.”

As Alexandra enters the new year, the expectation is of a CPF that learns from past mistakes, unites its members, and restores its role as a reliable link between residents and law enforcement.

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