Olievenhoutbosch community revives CPF
The change comes after the community urged the police to look into electing a new committee, in order to address the problems Olievenhoutbosch has been constantly facing.
Olievenhoutbosch police have announced the new community policing forum (CPF) aimed at tackling crime in the area and other social issues affecting the area.
The new CPF was presented to the management of Olievenhoutbosch police station on Monday, said police spokesperson Sergeant Pretty Mokadi.
“The role of the CPF is to make the needs of the community known to the police and to help the police meet those needs which will then promote trust, accountability, transparency and effectiveness in trying to eliminate crime,” she said.
Mokadi said the Olievenhoutbosch police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Gert Corbett was satisfied with the new structure and hoped reviving of CPF would see members of the community working closely with the police and fighting crime.
The change comes after the community urged the police to look into electing a new committee, in order to address the problems Olievenhoutbosch has been constantly facing.
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The community raised a few concerns due to a high rate of crime and how the station was ran.
After an imbizo that was held with police minister Bheki Cele, concerns were taken into account, Mokadi said.
In June, Cele hosted an urgent meeting with community leaders of Olievenhoutbosch regarding the improvement of the local police station.
During his visit community members were also allowed to ask questions and tell their stories about alleged corruption at the Olievenhoutbosch police station.
Residents took to the podium to complain about the high crime rate in their community, pointing cases that were left unsolved and the lack of urgency and effort from the police officers at the station.
Most complaints were about gender-based violence, house break-ins, murder and theft.
Following the minister’s visit, an imbizo was held and the station underwent changes where they appointed a new station commander and a new visible policing commander.
Mokadi said the revival of the CPF and the combined effort between the police and the community would bring safety back to the community
“The newly appointed CPF structure will see to it that the men and women in blue are assisted to create a safe and secure environment for all who reside in Olievenhoutbosch,” she said.
The management welcomed the appointment of the members as follows:
– Chairperson: Petrus Mojela
– Deputy chairperson: Ruth Senoamadi
– Secretary: George Khumalo
– Deputy secretary: Robert Hlongwane
– Treasurer: Gail Pedra
– PRO: Tracey Kensey
– Patrol co-ordinator: Willie Legwabe
– School safety: Paulinah Mathibela
– Justice Co-ordinator: Lukas Olivier
– Social crimes co-ordinator: Annelize Eloff
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