EMJINDINI – On the website of the SAPS, the CPF (community policing forum) is defined as “policing that focuses on small manageable sectors of a police station area”.
CPF comprises community members who work together with the police to help curb crime in specific areas.
A fortnight ago, Oubaas Gama, chairman of the forum, became suspicious when he saw a man, Abdul Sithole, loading bags of cement into his Audi. The incident took place at approximately 18:30 at Extension 15 where RDP houses are being built.
Gama approached the man, a builder for the contractor of houses, and asked him where he was taking the cement.
“He said he was taking it to Extension 11, because they were also building houses there. I realised he was lying when I encountered him in a shop and overheard him talking to another man. It all sounded very suspicious.”
This was when he called other CPF members, Percy Ngwenya, Mandla Nkosi and Tokozane Dladla.
“We went to Sithole’s home and spoke to the owner, which also happened to be the contractor. We asked him about the cement and the whereabouts of Sithole, but he didn’t know anything,” Gama told us last week.
In the meantime, he showed up and the moment he became aware of the CPF members he attempted to flee. They gave chase and apprehended him moments later. Ngwenya, Nkosi, Gama and Dladla proceeded to take him to the SAPS where he was charged with theft.
“He appeared in court shortly after and was found guilty. Sithole is now on five years’ probation, and will be arrested the moment he gets involved with anything illegal,” said Gama.
The same evening, the nine bags of stolen cement were recovered and returned to Extension 15. The CPF requested the community to report any suspicious behaviour as soon as they became aware of it. “Do not buy stolen goods as this is also a serious crime,” said Gama.
