“Focussing on unity, peace and cooperation” was the parting message following the Bellville South Community Policing Forum’s (CPF) elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Northlink College in Sackson Street on Thursday 5 December.
A new committee with a refreshed commitment made an oath to rather forwardly emphasise locals’ real issues – “our community, women and children’s safety”, as expressed by the CPF’s newly elected chair, David Cecil.
The election, scheduled for 18:30, peacefully adjourned with visible signs of relief as proceedings concluded around 21:00. Although many points were raised by stakeholders throughout the AGM, a consensus was reached to leave Bellville South’s historic tiffs firmly in the past.
new committee
Leading by a number of votes, David Cecil was appointed the new CPF chair. The other committee members are:
- Deputy chair: Quinton Maneville
- Secretary: Shereen Allen
- Treasurer: Isak Africa
- Project coordinator: Mark Suker
- Public relations officer: Madelein Muller
- Additional members voted in by the executive committee further included Dominique Manho and Michelle Cecil.
Police, CPF report
Bellville South Police Station commander, Lt Col Johannes Erwee, briefly discussed the latest report reviewing the police station’s overall ratings issued by police headquarters in Pretoria, Gauteng.
He highlighted areas perceived well by headquarters, but continued to explain the station’s staff challenges with police personnel lost due to health issues, retirement or transfers.
“We worked out that in the last seven or eight years, we ourselves lost 38 members that were not replaced. This is our biggest problem,” Erwee explained.
Erwee continued that the station is struggling with limited resources, namely vehicles on the road.
“But my biggest challenge remains that I need people. With more people, I can do more operations and we can improve police visibility.”
Outgoing former chair of the CPF, David Sias, took the stand, saying: “I would like to begin by extending my gratitude to the outgoing executive committee for their dedicated service and substantial contributions to our mission of enhancing safety, engagement and cooperation within the Bellville South community.”
He continued that social issues and anti-social behaviour are very big concerns.
“We have in most cases objected to the liquor license in our community that has been granted or applied for. The CPF has always encouraged regular operations from all law enforcement agencies including traffic services.”
He talked about the Spiritual Crime Forum that was recently elected and “we believe that they will also play a vital role in addressing the social issues in crime.
“To all our stakeholders, we are grateful for your partnership and collaboration because we believe it’s only when we do things together that we can achieve more. To our station commander, we want to thank you for your open door, your support and your efforts in making our community a safer place,” said Sias.
United front
CPF sub-district chair for the Tygerberg region, Rob Bisset, expressed his satisfaction of the professional CPF election.
“Some of you guys need to join together. I’ve seen that Bellville South has got a split, but we need to stay together and stay strong… But I’d like us to put a hand together and congratulate the new committee.”
The City of Cape Town CPF’s District Chair, Shamila Nicholas’, presence during this committee election secured a peaceful transition.
She was pleased with the newly elected committee, however emphasising: “Tonight, we’ve seen the push for more spiritual leadership and more women empowered in roles of the CPF. But more importantly, this committee needs to find ways to involve the youth of the community to assist in achieving its objectives.”
Cecil concluded proceedings, having been handed over the reigns: “To the incoming ex-co, I want to say we’ve got a lot of work to do. As the new ex-co, we need your input as a community. A partisan meeting is so pivotal – you need to come with your ideas. We are now on the same WhatsApp group. We are now speaking for Bellville – a better Bellville.”
