Thokoza CPF have their hands full with non-compliant citizens
In the absence of the army, members of the police become an alternative outlet to residents venting their unfulfilled anticipation.
Pearl Manqele, head of the Thokoza Community Policing Forum, believes some members of the community are risking the lives of their families, young children, the elderly and the sickly by ignoring President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to stay indoors to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Mangele recently told Kathorus MAIL the 21-day lockdown has stretched the CPF to its limits as she and her colleagues try to educate communities about the importance of complying with the lockdown. The CPF head said she believes education is crucial to educating residents about the consequences of their actions towards the call to stay indoors.
She appealed to the local press and other responsible community stakeholders to join hands with the CPF and community patrollers in helping to bring awareness about the dangers of ignoring the lockdown.
“It pains me to see people continuing to run around in the streets as if everything is normal, when it is not,” said Manqele. She said it is a rampant disregard by some people for their own safety.
She added that since the beginning of the lockdown, she and her CPF colleagues have been shocked by the attitude of some young people who seem to disregard the call to stay indoors by visiting shopping malls with friends.
According to Manqele, scores of families have turned the three-week lockdown into an extended holiday. She said due to heightened excitement currently in the townships and what people see on TV and read, the prospect of the army rolling into the streets of their townships has become an anticipated novelty of excitement.
Manqele revealed that the CPF’s random interaction with some non-compliant members of the community who refuse to stay indoors, apart from myriad other meaningless reasons, is the rare spectacular of being the first to spot the army as it rolls into the streets of their township.
“Sadly this is a view shared by many adults who deliberately swell the streets to be outdoors and wait for the army. The announcement that the army would be sent into the township coupled with the prevailing anticipation of something exciting to take place has engulfed communities and many bored young people who find the army to be some kind of novelty,” Manqele explained.
“The police are also taunted and called names, such as coronavirus, corrupt or cowards. Police vehicles are often stoned by members of the public in some informal settlements,” Manqele said.
The CPF head said the irresponsible sentiments displayed by some residents are regrettable and dangerous.
“They seem to think of the lockdown as a holiday to have fun and play games in the streets. Many of them just don’t understand how dangerous this virus can be, not only to them but to their families as well,” she said. The Thokoza CPF has become a vital component of the community.
Accompanied by Thokoza SAPS communications officer Busisiwe Mvelase during last Monday’s pension payday at the Phola Park Clinic, Manqele and her CPF team made sure every pensioner was in good hands.
“Our members made sure every pensioner was given the utmost care and assistance,” said Manqele.
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