The timing could not have been any better, being at the doorstep of the festive season a Community Police Forum (CPF) sub-forum for the town/CBD area was elected on Thursday evening. Although not many showed up at the town hall on November 20 the few that were present did not hide their desire to want to be apart of the solution to crime.

Among the residents whom were present was Chairperson of the motherbody CPF Reverend Kwazi Nduli, Liaison Officer Constable Dlamini, Police Spokesperson Captain JS Sokhela and the newly appointed Station Commander Mr Kheswa. Mr Kheswa has been a station commander for approximately 10 years before being sent out to Estcourt.

In opening, ward four councillor, Ugan Chetty encouraged residents to bring up all their issues as such a meeting was the platform for that. “This is a communication channel between the community and the police. “A few residents raging with anger brought up the noise-making problem within the community as well as break-ins.

They openly said that calling the police ‘is just a waste of time.’ Captain JS Sokhela addressed all matters that were raised, and discussed a way forward, saying that the people live in the community; they are aware of crime trends and they can jointly combat and curb crime in their community. A CPF sub-froum was then elected for the CBD. The members that have been nominated at this point were Angela Keyter, Pieter Keyter, Mr Hafajee, Willem Cameron and Roy Emmanuel.

“Whether this CPF decides to form a car watch or neighbourhood watch the bottom line is you must be prepared to work together with the police, and engage in a partnership, we need to strengthen the human force against fear to that of action,” encouraged Mr Kheswa. The new members are ready to work hand-in-hand with the police to fight crime, and help the community build confidence in the police.

They are ready to work with all sectors of the community, to develop a safe, stable and vibrant environment. An additional five members were elected by Councillor Chetty from the other parts of the CBD as the majority of the attendants resided in the same complex, this was done to in order to ensure proper representation.