Ehlanzeni CPF ramps up fight against crime

The Ehlanzeni Community Policing Forum (CPF) is currently hosting workshops to equip its members with the skills needed to combat crime in their communities.

CPF chairperson Jacob Siboza was speaking at the Ehlanzeni District Excellence Awards at Mbombela Stadium on Thursday, November 5, where he received the award for best chairperson. In his address, he outlined the work the forum does to protect communities and how it plans to strengthen its efforts and expand to other parts of the district.

The organisation is already active in a number of areas, including KaNyamazane, Pienaar, Barberton, Matsulu, Nkomazi and Marite.

Siboza said routine patrols focus on liquor outlets to ensure operations are run in compliance with regulations. They also monitor bus stops, where community members are frequently targeted by criminals early in the morning and late at night. He added that many of the areas they patrol have no street lighting.
Siboza emphasised that the fight against crime requires more hands and stronger collaboration with safety authorities.

He said residents must also take a stand in keeping their communities safe and drug-free.”We are the shield of the community. We must work hand in hand with the police and other safety stakeholders to ensure that we keep the areas we live in safe at all times,” he said. “The volunteers we work with are doing a great job, and we need to strengthen our grip so that there is no place for crime.”

He said the CPF works closely with the youth desk, community volunteers, patrollers and the South African National Civic Organisation. According to him, various crimes are on the rise, including house and business burglaries and drug-related offences.

Siboza added that the CPF will not be intimidated by criminals who attack and kill members for fighting crime.
He referred to the recent shooting of Lawrence Masuku, chairperson of a community crime watch in Marite.

Masuku dedicated his life to combatting crime and was allegedly targeted by criminals who were terrorising the community. He was killed after he and a friend left a local tavern and noticed an unknown young man on the street. When they confronted him, another man opened fire.

Masuku was gunned down, while his friend escaped unharmed. Police and paramedics arrived at the scene, where he was declared dead.

Siboza said the community must know their CPF representatives so they know who to report incidents to.