In a major push to boost public safety and unite communities, Mogale City has launched the West Rand’s first-ever Community Safety Forum (CSF), a groundbreaking initiative led by Community Safety MMC Francis Makgatho and Executive Mayor Lucky Sele.

Speaking at the launch recently, the mayor said that the CSF brings together local government, the police, CPFs, ward committees, faith-based organisations, civic groups, businesses and residents to collectively analyse, respond to, and monitor safety challenges.

“By aligning efforts across sectors, the forum will coordinate and integrate crime prevention initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life across communities,” Sele said.

The CSF’s core objectives include:

• Co-ordinating planning and implementation of safety initiatives
• Strengthening community participation in crime prevention strategies
• Creating a platform for joint problem-solving between the government and residents
• Serving as a monitoring and accountability structure for inclusive, effective safety programmes

Sele further stressed the need for united action.

“Mogale residents must feel safe in their homes, and businesses must have the confidence to operate 24 hours a day. We will not allow crime to define us, nor fear to lead us, and we will not outsource our safety to anyone else.”

He continued to say that the CSF was established not out of convenience but necessity – to coordinate, collaborate and confront crime as one united front.

“Formed within the Intergovernmental Relations framework, the CSF does not replace CPFs or other existing structures, but rather complements and strengthens them, improving co-ordination within municipal boundaries,” he added.

“The launch underscores Mogale City’s commitment to proactive, community-driven safety solutions. By uniting residents, law enforcement, government departments, and civic organisations, the CSF ensures safety is not only a municipal priority but a shared responsibility,” he concluded.