Local pre-primary school teacher, Mieta Williams-Jan, who was recently elected as the chairperson for the Jeffreys Bay Community Policing Forum (CPF), plans to unify the community and restore trust in the local police.
Williams-Jan, who is a teacher at Itemba Crèche, was the vice-chairperson for the CPF from November last year and in May, she was elected as the chairperson of the forum.
She said she was overwhelmed when she was elected as the chairperson of the CPF but, because she had the community at heart, it was easy to accept the position.
“I believe in fairness, honesty, and respect at large,” said Williams-Jan.
“Being a community member, I do not believe in complaining about things, but rather focusing on change to better our circumstances.”
Since she joined the CPF almost a year ago, Williams-Jan said the working relationship between the CPF, and the local police has been outstanding.
As part of the function of the CPF, to establish a partnership and a problem-solving approach to the needs of the community, during her five-year term, she plans to bring about transparency between the community and the local police.
In addition, she plans to combat crime in the area by involving the community in various projects.
“I will be hosting events to bring together the CPF, the various neighbourhood watch groups and the community members. During these events I will host campaigns which focus on self-defence, gender-based violence and drug abuse to mention a few issues,” said Williams-Jan.
To kick start her plans, Williams-Jan, together with the help of her six team members, namely Natashja Ellis as the secretary, Pieter Bouwer as the treasurer, Alwyn Kloppers as the public relations consultant and Marcell van Schalkwyk, Leonard Perils and Thabisa Mdazuka as additional members to the group, were able to host an event to promote policing and crime prevention among young people.
As part of the event, learners from Jeffreys Bay Comprehensive High School and Jbay Academy High School competed for the title of Junior Commanders, by presenting a presentation about drug abuse and the numerous differences between private schools and public schools.
In addition, the learners had to undergo an interview by a panel of judges from the CPF and the local police.
The winner of the Junior Station Commander title was Siyanda Jack, from Jeffreys Bay Comprehensive High School.
Williams-Jan said she would like residents to feel free to approach the CPF with any difficulties faced in the community.
“We are there for the community and we just need to stand together and build a great community to be proud of,” said Williams-Jan.
With the recent opening of two positions within the CPF, Williams-Jan has also encouraged community members from Jeffreys Bay who are interested in these positions to apply by sending a letter of recommendation to their email address Communitypolicingforum.jbay@gmail.com or hand deliver to the Vispol Commander Captain Thomas Leander.
She said the letter of recommendation needed to have the letterhead of the organisation the applicant belonged to such as a church, local neighbourhood watch group or non–profit organisation.
“Any community member who is willing to serve the community without any remuneration but the community at heart can apply for the position,” said Williams-Jan.
Elections for the vacant positions will be held soon.
According to police spokesperson, Sergeant Majola Nkohli, the CPF was important because the structure assisted with the promotion of accountability of the local police to the community, and cooperation of the community with the police.
He said the relationship between the executive committee and the police was that of mutual respect, courtesy, and togetherness.
“The existence of the CPF is protected by the two legislative frameworks, Section 221 (2) of the Constitution and Section 19(1) of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, that simply means there is no police station that can operate without the CPF,” said Nkohli.
He further said the relationship between the CPF, and the local police can only be enhanced or strengthened through constant engagement and by initiating joint-venture activities.
