Local CPFs should engage their local police officials – Mashaile
JOBURG – Gauteng CPF is rolling out an initiative to strengthen the relationship between police and residents.
Gauteng Community Policing Forum (CPF) is adamant that the killing of police could be curbed if the relationship between communities and SAPS was encouraging.
The provincial CPF chairperson Andy Mashaile said business could not continue as usual.
“We are calling for police to engage with communities. It is time to build and maintain good working relationship with residents,” emphasised Mashaile.
He said the CPF was rolling out an initiative that would intensify a relationship between SAPS and residents across all police stations in the province.
“Residents should attend the CPF meetings and call police to account. The killing of cops and ordinary residents can be curbed, because it is a way used by criminals to incite fear among communities,” he explained.
He added that they plan to combat crime across all sectors of the community.
“We don’t want to isolate cop killings with the killings of residents, but to intensify the relationship that will help us put perpetrators behind bars,” concluded Mashaile.
Meanwhile DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety and member of provincial legislature (MPL) Kate Lorimer has called for the Minister of Police and National Commissioner to act against the killing of cops.
So far 58 police offices have been killed in the Gauteng province this year alone.
“As communities we must take a stand against crime and criminals, and we must take a stand against police killings,” explained Lorimer during a march at Johanensburg Central Police Station in solidarity with families of police officials who have been killed by criminals.
Lorimer further explained that there were interventions which need to be made to reduce the vulnerability of police officers from attack.
“These interventions must focus on the under-resourcing, training and intelligence problems faced by officers.
“Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko, and Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, must commit themselves to immediately implement the plan announced by previous Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa in 2011, to bring down the number of murders of police officers,” concluded Lorimer.
Details: Gauteng CPF Board 082346 0520; DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety Kate Lorimer 083 642 2727.
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