The Ruyterwacht Safety Watch wants to know why Ruyterwacht does not see the Elsies River Community Policing Forum (CPF) in action since they have been elected.
The Ruyterwacht Safety Watch is a group of concerned citizens that patrol and safeguard the area against unfamiliar faces and criminal activities,” Daniel Dekker, chair of the Ruyterwacht Safety Watch says.
Ruyterwacht Safety Watch NPO was established in 2020 and is not accredited by the CPF or Department of Community Safety (Docs) as they are registered with the local government, Dekker said.
Crime increase
According to Dekker it is the festive season, so crime will increase, but there is a lack of police visibility from the Elsies River police. “And another harsh topic we have that nobody has answers to, is the newly-elected CPF that was elected by the community, and for the past six months, they have not held a single community meeting to meet and analyze the community’s needs. So, who is the CPF?”
Imraan Mukaddam, public relations officer of Elsies River CPF, said Ruyterwacht is as important as Elsies River.
“We are aware of the issue in the substructure, but there is mediation in process. These issues are being addressed in workshops,” Mukaddam said.
The new CPF executive only exists for six months, they must still be inducted and provided with training, on top of what is happening.
Mukaddam said the reason for the lack of visibility of Elsies River police is the lack in man power, but he stated that the police is commited to the Ruyterwacht community.
“Working with the community in 2023 they will see a huge improvement. It is a process.”
