The Manenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) watch was very busy this year, however, is still appealing to residents to join them to combat crime in the area.
“Our biggest challenges as a CPF are gang violence and gender-based violence which we have to deal with. With bullets flying everywhere it is unsafe to patrol the streets to keep residents safe.
This is how Vernon Visagie, chair of the CPF, summed up the year. The forum was established a few years ago and he has held his portfolio since December 2020.
There are nine members who work hand-in-hand with local police. “In July, we handed certificates out to the chair of the neighbourhood watches, to thank them for the work they do in the community,” Visagie said. “We also hosted a first responder workshop for 110 NHWs and 20 police officers pertaining to gender-based violence over a period of six months. The reason for the workshop over the period of six months was to get more people on the ground to assist.”
In October, a Career Day was held at Phoenix High School, where all the possible careers in the police service were displayed. Grade 11 learners from different schools in and around Manenberg attended the exhibition, including Manenberg High, Phoenix High, Cathkin High and The Leadership College. The learners were told that to qualify for any career in the police they had to become police officers first.
Tertiary institutions such as Northlink, the University of the Western Cape and College of Cape Town informed about bursaries and courses offered.
“The Career Day organised by the Manenberg Police Station was very informative, and the Grade 11 learners from the different high schools went home with lots of information about life after school to process,” Visagie said.
