CPF confusion clarified
A good relationship between the community and the police is important. The monitoring service rendered by the CPFs in the province is optimal.
Jeppe Community Police Forum (JCPF) executive member, Mr Zola Dambula, said it would be unfortunate if CPFs are suspended in Gauteng.
This comes after conflicting statements from the Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba and the Gauteng MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malabane’s office.
Lt Gen Mothiba’s office said he suspended the civilian oversight function of the CPFs in the province.
The MMC’s office issued a statement saying the Commissioner had no powers to suspend the CPFs.
The department’s spokesperson, Mr Thabo Moila, said CPFs are performing an important job in policing.
“A good relationship between the community and the police is important. The monitoring service rendered by the CPFs in the province is optimal. We also have cases that were solved because of the good relationships between the police and the CPF,” he said.
He urged communities to report any wrong doings by CPF members or the SAPS to the department.
“There are some reports we are following where CPF members are reportedly performing unbecoming acts. The department has launched a complains unit to deal with this problem. If you see CPF members or the SAPS doing what they should not be doing, you can report them to the department on 011 689-3600. Alternatively, send me an SMS on 084 805 2247,” said Mr Moila.
He said the CPFs will continue with their work as before.
Mr Dambula said the commissioner should have raised his concerns feels he should not have suspected them.
“A good relationship between the communities and the police is important in fight against crime. We need to make sure that we are not stepping on each others toes as we do this. We need to open the channels of communication more,” he said.
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) MMC for Public Safety’s spokesperson, Mr Thabo Rangwaga, said a stronger CPF is important for the safety of the community.
“If the restructuring of this important component is to enhance the fight against crime, we will support it 100 percent. We get most of the community concerns from this unit on an ongoing bases. As the city, we have plans to work more closely with CPFs,” said Mr Rangwaga.
The Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, said he would issue a statement.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
