The Florida Sector 2 Community Police Forum election, held on Wednesday, November 26, at the Florida Dragon Boat Club, once again ended in chaos when residents of Jerusalema informal settlement refused to accept the defeat of their candidate.

This was the fourth unsuccessful attempt at electing a new committee for Sector 2 of the Florida CPF.

The meeting started peacefully, with all parties seemingly intent on finally putting the long-standing election to rest.

A dispute over the election of a deputy chairperson prompted officials from the Department of Community Safety and the Gauteng Community Police Forum to call a halt to proceedings.

The election did manage to finalise nominations from out of the various neighbourhoods, and even to elect a chairperson.

The candidate from Jerusalema stood against a Florida South candidate for the role of deputy chairperson and lost by four votes, upon which Jerusalema residents started shouting and hurling insults at CPF and Department of Community Safety officials.

They loudly accused residents who voted against their candidate of racism, even though the candidate from Florida South is also a man of colour.

According to Thabo Thipe, who oversaw proceedings for the Department of Community Safety, a decision has since been made to uphold the nominations made on the day.

“We will convene a meeting between the nominated persons, who will vote among themselves as the nominated candidates for the various neighbourhoods for the positions to be filled.”

It is currently unclear whether the role of chairperson will be included in the new round of elections, since a chairperson was successfully elected.

Thipe says they are currently waiting for clarification from the District Department of Community Safety on this point.

“We are resolute in bringing this matter to a conclusion now,” adds Thipe. “The main Florida CPF election, which consists of all three sectors, will take place on Wednesday, December 3.”