BEYOND the recent row around the election of the new Umbilo CPF chairperson lies the reality of ground work that remains the core of the forum’s mandate.

At the helm of the mission is Sicelo Sibiya, the newly elected chairperson. He asserts that while he fully respects everyone’s right to express an opinion, he believes it is equally important that the community understands the facts surrounding the constitutional process that was properly followed.

Sibiya has been a resident of Umbilo for the past 26 years, and has “seen the area change significantly over that time, and I feel very strongly about the community and its safety”.

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His involvement in crime-fighting started from wanting to make a difference in his own community. “Over the years, I have become involved with the CPF, SAPS, security companies, and other community structures, assisting with patrols, information sharing and bringing different stakeholders together,” he shared.

He admitted that the face of crime has evolved over the years. “Crime has become more organised, and criminals are more mobile and technologically aware. To counter that, we also have better tools available, including CCTV, licence-plate recognition, radio networks, WhatsApp groups and private security. The key is making sure these resources work together effectively.

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“One of the biggest challenges we are seeing is general robbery, both at shops and targeting people on the streets. My focus would be on identifying hotspots, increasing visibility and patrols in those areas, improving information sharing, and working closely with SAPS and security companies to prevent these incidents rather than simply reacting after they happen.”

Sibiya concluded, “I don’t want to criticise those who served before me. I would rather build on what worked and improve where we can. My focus would be on better communication, greater visibility, stronger collaboration and a more proactive approach to crime prevention. Ultimately, I want residents to feel that their concerns are heard and that we are actively doing something about them.”

He appealed to the community and all stakeholders to put the events of the Special General Meeting behind them and focus on what truly matters.

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