TRICHARDT – It is time to stop pointing fingers and to become part of the solution by joining the local Community Policing Forum (CPF).
Mr Clarke van der Walt, CPF chairman of Trichardt Police Station, shared this sentiment with his peers and other CPF members throughout the country.
“All of us are as heartbroken over our farmers as any other South African citizen being murder and it is time for us fellow citizens to join the current projects of the CPF that has been in place since 1994, but which has since been limited due to the lack of civilian involvement.”
Mr Van der Walt quoted a CPF press statement that the CPF was formed in the early 90s.
“In 1995, with the change in government, the commando as we knew it at the time was disbanded. We all knew that this was the primary protection plan for our farms, as well as for all South Africans in the rural areas. The commandos patrolled our rural areas and were the first line of defense of them.
“Even though the police have the responsibility to protect the farms and the rural communities, their resources have always been limited to hold this responsibility alone. This dates back to pre-1994 when we had the help of commandos to protect these communities.”
Mr Van der Walt said many people do not realise that a new security plan was enforced even before the commandos were disbanded.
“The CPF was written into the government in 1994 to function under the umbrella of the police. The primary function of the CPF is to support the police and in conjunction with the CPF, we are able to provide the protection service to our communities.”
According to Mr Van der Walt the CPF is a lot like the commandos of old as it consists of civilians (people with a day job) assisting the police.
“The main difference being the commandos executed their duties under the military law and the CPF under the SAPS law.
“In the commandos no political or religious views were allowed. This is also the norm in the CPF.
“The commandos relied on civilians of the community to volunteer and assist the safety and security of the community. The CPF of today uses the same principles as the commandos to achieve the same result.
“Without civilians volunteering in the commandos, they would have been unable to serve our community. Today, civilians who volunteer remain the only way the CPF can efficiently serve the community,” said Mr Van der Walt.
He said the difference between pre-1994 and the new system is that civilians are reluctant to volunteer and serve the community. “To many the responsibility falls mainly on protecting our homes, instead of joining fellow citizens in the CPF. Mr Van der Walt said only civilians can make this country great.”
He invited Trichardt residents to the next CPF meeting that will take place at the Trichardt Police Station at 6.30 on 19 April.
For more information about the CPF in your area, phone the police station nearest to you.
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