Cleveland CPF is stable
“There was stability within the current CCPF executive committee. We did not have an exodus of resignations. Instead, we had dedicated members,” said Mr Godfrey Mothibe, the chairperson.
The current Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) executive committee managed to resuscitate what could have been described as a dying group.
The CCPF faced several challenges over the past few years and struggled to remain stable. The past year however, was different.
“There was stability within the current CCPF executive committee. We did not have an exodus of resignations. Instead, we had dedicated members,” said Mr Godfrey Mothibe, the chairperson.
He said the CCPF was successful in creating a working relationship with the Cleveland SAPS, the community and other relevant role players.
“There was an improvement in the relationship between the SAPS and the CCPF. More community members joined the CCPF and they were exposed to the processes and ways of working together with the SAPS. We hosted successful crime awareness campaigns, marches and outreach programmes. The Youth Desk and Women’s Forum were also active. We were able to achieve support in all these crime awareness campaigns. People are spreading the word. We are fighting crime,” said Mr Mothibe.
He commended the Cleveland SAPS for the successes over the past year, which included numerous arrests and convictions.
He also praised police officers for tackling drug dealers in Bruma and other areas.
He is concerned, however, about the number of business robberies and hopes to build a closer relationship with business owners this year.
“We failed to attain total commitment and support from the business community. We did not prioritise, commit and focus our attention, efforts and energy on them. There are also illegal traders on pavements. We did not eradicate windscreen washers completely at intersections or deal totally with the drug dealers due to the elusiveness and the nature of the offences. Drugs are a local, provincial, national and international problem. It is a problem that needs all role players to work together, especially members of the community and the SAPS. People need to blow the whistle on drug lords and users,” said Mr Mothibe.
He is concerned about the house and business robberies taking place in the precinct. “Some of them are a result of domestic employees who collaborate with syndicates and provide them with security and safety information. There were also murders, attempted murders and rapes,” he said.
Mr Mothibe is also concerned about the illegal mining, sale of alcohol and rapes at the Jumpers Informal Settlement in Cleveland. The CCPF hopes to find solutions to the problems soon.
Mr Mothibe said the CCPF will introduce community patrollers in the precinct in a few months. The CCPF also aims to establish neighbourhood watch groups, street committee forums and block forums. “A top priority for the CCPF is to establish a board of trustees to deal with implementation plans of the CCPF, to fundraise and manage funds. We will continue with crime awareness campaigns and engage with the business community, SAPS, Youth Desk, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and other role players,” said Mr Mothibe.
