MOSES KOTANE COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM ESTABLISHED TO FIGHT CRIME

Ledig- The fight against crime requires a coordinated approach that involves collaboration and integration of various structures. At municipal level this is achieved through the institution of Community Safety Forums (CSF). The forum
focuses primarily on the implementation of the local crime prevention strategies and remains directly accountable to the community which it serves.

Through coordination by the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, the Moses Kotane Local Municipality in partnership with the Bakubung Boo Ratheo Tribal Authority and other stakeholders under the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster has become the first municipality to establish a CSF in the province, allowing it to micro manage criminality within the jurisdiction.

Speaking at the launch which took place in Bakubung village, the Head of Department, Dr Hans Kekana indicated that CSFs play an ancillary role to existing policing structures.

“The concept of CSF is closely related to community policing, however a clear distinction is that CSFs facilitate the delivery of a multi sectoral governmental approach on safety in local communities, it is distinguished through its jurisdictions and tasks which are different from Community Policing Forums (CPFs).

“Once a CSF is established, it is aligned to the local or district municipality, bridges safety issues within the municipality and integrates planning and coordination of local safety programmes,” said Dr Kekana.

The Bakubung Boo Ratheo Traditional Authority welcomed the initiative and believes it will contribute towards further development in the community.

“Our community welcomes the move by government to ensure that we all play a role in prioritising the safety of our people.

“We believe that a safer community where crime is reduced will be better positioned to attract investors, bring more development and grow the local economy, “ said Kgosi Solomon Mphuphuthe Monnakgotla who also pledged to support the CSF and its mandate.

The policy mandate guiding the establishment of a CSFs is derived from the National Crime Prevention Strategy (1996), White Paper on Traditional Leadership and Governance as well as the South African Police Service Act 1995 (on CPFs) amongst other legislation.

—ENDS—