Durban — Inanda Community Policing Forum (CPF) members have called for assistance with their working conditions, following KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli’s address at the Social Crime Prevention Summit, which took place at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban on Friday.
The summit was attended by various stakeholders including the SAPS, led by provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, community crime prevention structures, the private security sector, traditional leaders and councillors.
Joseph Nkabinde, exco committee deputy chairperson of the eThekwini Neighbourhood Watch Structure, said he was disappointed with the summit and suggested a dedicated meeting with the CPF and Ntuli be held as they were not given enough time to speak.
Nkabinde said the summit started two hours late and that had limited the time they had to speak.
“They cannot expect us to speak on the issues in less than five minutes.”
He said the police sometimes did not respond to their calls for assistance, especially when the CPF arrested a suspect. The CPF was expected to bring the suspect to the police station.
Nkabinde noted a growing number of motorists driving around in vehicles with no number plates. He hoped to forge a relationship with the Durban metro police to deal with this issue.
Nkabinde said the CPF played a vital role in assisting business owners, traditional leaders and the community.
eThekwini Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Andile Jali said they had pressing issues such as equipment, protective gear and vests that they required. However, they did not know if those issues would be addressed.
At the summit, they were asked what interventions were needed to assist them, rather than being given a platform to voice their concerns, he said.
Jali said they wished that KZN could adopt crime prevention wardens similar to those in Gauteng. He said such a programme was essential to reduce crime stats and unemployment.
“Having a functioning CPF and neighbourhood will combat many social ills, and the number of volunteers will grow when they see progress,” he said.
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