Months after the Simon’s Town Community Policing Forum (CPF) executive members resigned, a new board has finally been elected.
In January, seven Exco members tendered their resignation citing “lack of resources” and manpower at Simon’s Town Police Station as reasons they had to step down.
At the time, outgoing Simon’s Town CPF chair Eileen Heywood said they simply could not fulfill their mandate.
“The primary concern was that, for several years, there was little to no feedback from the management at both provincial and national levels within the police, to deal with the short staffing at the police station.
“So, as an example, if there is a house break-in or robbery in progress they simply cannot respond due to actual members not being on duty to be able to respond.
Heywood told People’s Post at the time that the CPF was merely requesting to have the minimum staff at the station level as legislated.
Wynberg CPF cluster chair Shamila Nicholas confirmed that four new Exco members were elected on Tuesday 14 March.
She added that the previous Exco members took a stance against the lack of resources within Saps. “I think there was a lot of discussion about resources and we held three meetings with the previous regime and they were adamant that they did not want to step down but had a stance when it came to police resources.
“Unfortunately, because of Covid, Saps could not employ people,” she said, adding that Simon’s Town police managed the area with the neighbourhood watch.
“It took us three months to elect the new Exco members and it has been accepted by Saps and us.”
Jonathan Mills, the presiding officer at the election and Wynberg CPF cluster treasurer, said he was delighted a new CPF executive board has been elected.
“Despite the last board having resigned, I was delighted that the community could get together and elect a new CPF executive board to work together with Simon’s Town police.”
Newly elected CPF chair Andrew Rogers says it is important for the community to work with the CPF. “We need the community’s involvement to be our eyes and ears. We also want to take the lessons learned by the previous CPF and see maybe where we can improve.”
