Uvongo CPF strengthens community safety
The primary aim is to keep areas safe and crime-free.
Since its inception decades ago, the Uvongo Community Policing Forum (CPF) has included a community patrollers’ forum, or neighbourhood watch, known as Blockwatch.
With the evolution of CPFs being brought into legislative alignment with Saps legislation and policy processes, the Uvongo CPF constitution was amended in 2024 to conform with Saps source policies. In doing so, the CPF formally committed itself to close collaboration with Saps.
Section 205 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides for a police service to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order and protect and secure communities. Saps Vision 2030 includes a strategy of intensifying police visibility in smaller, manageable sectors – a goal that can only be achieved through collaboration with other security role-players and, crucially, the community itself. This approach is encapsulated in the concept: Community in Blue (CIB).
Where CIB differs from traditional neighbourhood watch structures is that Saps, and specifically the Department of Community Safety, maintains an oversight function in collaboration with established and functioning CPFs, including the Uvongo CPF.
Saps is actively engaging with local CPFs to encourage community involvement in crime prevention in a structured manner and to standardise the establishment and functioning of CIB patrollers. These include neighbourhood watches, street committees and community patrollers.
The Uvongo CPF (Community in Blue) works together with the Crime Prevention Team which consists of Saps, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s Law Enforcement,
Maser Security, Wolf Security and ADT Security.
What are the objectives of the CIB?
* The primary aim is to keep areas safe and crime-free.
* To promote reporting of criminal activities and suspicious behaviour.
* To increase visibility, to deter criminal activity.
* To encourage active community involvement in crime prevention activities.
How to join the CIB?
Residents of Manaba, Uvongo or St Michaels who do not have a criminal record; are willing to purchase a CIB uniform as a donation to the Uvongo CPF (uniforms remain CPF property); are prepared to participate in patrols on a voluntary basis without remuneration; and wish to assist with crime prevention should contact the Uvongo CPF for further information on 084 2488246, or email uvongocsf@gmail.com
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