Building bridges for a safer community 

Thabazimbi - To gain a deeper insight into the Thabazimbi Community Policing Forum (CPF), Platinum Bushvelder sat down with the CPF chairperson, Petrus van Breda, on Tuesday, 10 October 2023. The CPF, a vital component of community safety, plays a crucial role in collaboration with the local police to address crime and maintain security.

The CPF’s roots trace back many years to rural safety vigilance, which, at the time, came in response to the limited capacity of the Thabazimbi police service in attending to all areas. Later, between 2018 and 2019, Roelf Crause, a former member of the police service specialising in rural safety, proposed the establishment of a formal CPF structure. This structured platform aligned with SAPS’ code of conduct, thereby enhancing cooperation and making safety operations more effective.
Over the years, the Thabazimbi CPF has grown significantly. Soon after its establishment, the Thabazimbi CPF joined the provincial platform and elected a station committee at Thabazimbi SAPS, representing various community areas, initially starting with six sectors, and later expanding to a total of 16 sectors, including sub-sectors in rural areas. 

Building trust between the community and SAPS was one of the CPF’s initial challenges. Van Breda explained that this journey has led to a positive relationship with the local SAPS, as evident in recent interactions with the new Thabazimbi SAPS station commander, lieutenant colonel Mbene Maluleka, and Thabazimbi SAPS visible policing commander, captain Mohlolo Mashele. These interactions bode well for the joint effort to combat crime.

The CPF employs various proactive measures against crime, including random patrols and targeted patrols in identified problem areas. The visible presence of CPF members serves as a deterrent to criminals. Furthermore, the CPF collaborates with SAPS by sharing information and acting as extra eyes and ears when needed. They also monitor and build profiles on identified problem areas.
Communication plays a pivotal role in the CPF’s activities. Keeping the community informed about potential dangers, as well as successes achieved, helps reduce the consequences of crime and lets people know that they are heard. Regular meetings with SAPS provide a platform for addressing issues and proposing solutions.

But how are CPF members equipped to respond to crime situations? Van Breda explains that scenario training is conducted as often as possible to help members effectively respond to crime situations while keeping themselves safe, both physically and legally.

“We also have information sessions with SAPS; for example, we recently partook in information sessions with the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit, where CPF members gained a lot of insight into how to respond to sensitive situations,” added Van Breda.
When asked about what one of the CPF’s greatest on-scene challenges is, Van Breda answered, “We have had serious situations where we had to respond and intervene. Unfortunately, when we arrive before SAPS, navigating the terrain becomes difficult, as we don’t intend to affect formal investigations by interfering with the crime scene. This has been frustrating, as one would like to do everything in your power, but at the end of the day, collaboration is of paramount importance,” explained Van Breda.
Additionally, the Thabazimbi CPF strives to adapt to the ever-changing nature of crime. “We have incorporated the use of technology, which I won’t elaborate on for security purposes,” said Van Breda, “Criminals are always improving on their methods, which means that we are always trying to be one step ahead by studying their tactics and anticipating future manoeuvres. One of our current strategies is to devise learning sessions between CPF sector teams. Different sectors often specialise in responding to different types of crimes, for example, depending on the area, one sector might be more familiar with responding to stock theft, while another is more adept to attending to crimes such as store robberies and suburban crimes. I believe that there is much to learn between sectors, as you never know where following the trail of crime might take you”. Community involvement is vital to the CPF’s success. Van Breda emphasized the need for more dedicated members who are committed to making a difference. Financial support is also essential to expand operations, as technology and patrol expenses place a financial burden on CPF members whose salaries can’t always keep up with the demand.

Participating in the CPF has transformed Van Breda’s perspective on crime. It has highlighted the challenges faced by SAPS and the pressing issues in the community, particularly regarding drugs and copper theft. Van Breda highlighted that addressing these issues is crucial to safeguarding the community’s future. We then asked Van Breda how the community can get involved. “We have social media platforms such as the GPF Thabazimbi (Gemeenskap Polisiëring Forum) page on Facebook, and emergency groups on WhatsApp where we receive reports and pick up on safety concerns. If you would like to help, contact your nearest CPF sector leaders,” said Van Breda. In conclusion, the Thabazimbi CPF is a dedicated group of community members working hand-in-hand with SAPS to enhance safety and combat crime. Their efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration and the positive impact that an engaged community can have on its own security. By continuing to bridge gaps and adapt to evolving challenges, the Thabazimbi CPF is helping to create a safer and more secure community for all.