STEVE TSHWETE CAPACITATE CPFs WITH REFLECTIVE TOOLS

STEVE TSHWETE CAPACITATE CPFs WITH REFLECTIVE TOOLS

Mhluzi: On Thursday the Executive Mayor, Cllr Mhlonishwa Masilela together with MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Ernest Nkwana handed over reflectors and torches to Mhluzi Community Police Forum (CPF) at Mhluzi Police Station. The role of Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) is to bring the police and community together, assist in bridging the gap between the public and the police to solve problems and challenges of crime. If they work together, the can make communities a safer place . CPFs are statutory bodies, given strong powers in the 1993 interim constitution – including monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the SAPS, advising police on priorities in the neighborhoods and promoting the accountability of the SAPS to local communities.

CPFs were left out of the final constitution in 1996 but the 1995 Police Service Act refers back to the interim constitution, noting that the role of a CPF may include the functions listed therein. A new set of regulations in terms of the Act, which deals with powers and responsibilities for all CPFs, is currently under review. Its preamble notes that the SAPS is accountable to the communities it serves; it adds that the Act provides for CPFs to promote communication and co-operation between the SAPS and communities and to improve transparency and service delivery in the SAPS. It also refers to the partnership and joint problem-solving between communities and the SAPS.

STLM Executive Mayor Cllr Mhlonishwa Masilela was delighted to see the CPFs members being empowered with the tools for the noble work that they do,“I am delighted to oversee the official handover of reflectors to enhance our community’s safety efforts. These reflective tools and torches symbolize our shared commitment to fostering a secure environment for all, “ said Masilela.

Masilela applauds CPFs for their dedication in keeping communities safe and he believe that these reflective tools will serve as a valuable assets in promoting visibility and ensuring our streets remain safe.