GEORGE NEWS - The police and the community policing forum (CPF) of Thembalethu are calling on members of the public to become part of the street committee system they are establishing to help combat crime in the area.
This follows the recent murders in Mandela Village, allegedly in a mob justice incident, and the prevalence of youth violence in Thembalethu which has claimed a number of young lives since last year.
In his 2017/18 budget vote speech, former Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula said, "We need to close the oxygen for criminals. Their breath should be limited". He said for this to be possible, street committees need to be reintroduced and strengthened as they are very important in the fight against crime.
"We are realistic that we cannot win the fight against crime without the involvement of civil society. The Ministry is in the process of reviewing the Community Police Forum Policy. This will ensure that we build strategic partnerships with the communities in our effort to push back the frontiers of criminality." Realising the importance of this, Thembalethu station commander Colonel Douw Herbst and Thembalethu CPF chairperson Xolani Henge have called on the community to work with them in establishing street committees - not only at Mandela Village, but throughout Thembalethu.
What are street committees?
Street committees are elected by the community for the community. Members are selected for their integrity and professionalism and must have a clear focus on the interest of the community rather than individual goals. Street committees involve the community of a particular area to create a happy, peaceful and productive environment by encouraging community members to take a greater interest in, and responsibility for, their community.
The success of street committees stands on two pillars: the involvement of the community, and effective communication with local government departments, including police, social welfare and infrastructure services.
Functions of street committees
- Participating in community police activities;
- Conducting joint foot patrols with the police;
- Reporting to the sector crime forums;
- Cooperating with the police and CPFs;
- Providing information to the police;
- Monitoring taverns to ensure that they close on time and do not sell alcohol to minors;
- Informing the police of illegal shebeens.
For more information about the launch of the street committees, please contact CPF chairperson Xolani Henge on 060 823 3607 or the Thembalethu police station on 044 802 8900/16.
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