The Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has announced that a new Community Policing Forum (CPF) will be elected in Elsies River, following serious concerns regarding the integrity of its current leadership.
This decision comes after public uproar over a photo of Elsies River CPF member, Claudine Colderidge, posing with the son of an alleged gang boss.
The image quickly raised alarms on whether she and other CPF members were suitable to serve on such forums, especially in executive positions.
In response, the Marais’ department requested an investigation by the Provincial CPF Board. It was then found that a number of people on the CPF Executive had been elected without proper vetting. Several members were also found ineligible for the role, due to criminal records or questionable associations.
“Community Policing Forums represent the interests of the community in the policing environment, and members of the CPF leadership have access to potentially sensitive information related to crime prevention operations. It is important that only individuals of the highest integrity serve on such key community structures in order to protect the credibility of Community Policing Forums as key partners in our fight against crime,” said Marais.
Now, a new Annual General Meeting will be held, where new representatives will be elected. Marais said a verification for eligibility will be done prior to this.
She added that the CPF constitution has also been amended to prevent similar situations in future.
But, residents and community stakeholders want broader reforms to the CPF structure across the Western Cape.
In an open letter to law enforcement authorities, a group of community stakeholders highlighted issues in these structures. This includes the dissolution of the CPF before its last AGM (which stakeholders say is unconstitutional) and the election of members with criminal backgrounds or ties to gang-related activity.
The letter was undersigned by Hamish Arries of the Elsies River Safety Initiative, Imraahn Mukaddam of Inspire Network, Abdud Dayaan Keown of the Ruyterwacht Concerned Residents Association, Pastor Rodnick Ockhuis of the Spiritual Crime Prevention Team, and others.
“Recent developments have gravely undermined the integrity and functionality of the Elsies River CPF, eroding public trust and leaving our community vulnerable to lawlessness. At the heart of this crisis are unconstitutional actions, flagrant procedural violations, and alleged political interference, all of which have destabilised this vital structure that once served as a cornerstone of safety and security in our area,” the letter read.
They want an independent commission of inquiry into the collapse of the CPF to be held – aimed at probing procedural violations, political interference, and systemic issues within the governance of CPFs. They have also called for the introduction of a National Community Safety Act to standardise CPF governance across the country, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The situation in Elsies River has caught the attention of the DA, which has also called for a complete review of CPF election processes.
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