By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

Stakeholders have taken an oath to serve and protect all communities, as well as to strengthen relations in the quest to prevent and fight the prevalence of criminality. This concession was undertaken at the Community Policing Indaba, which took place in Mahikeng recently, to look into areas of improvement regarding the implementation of the Community Policing Strategy that seeks to enhance police services to the public. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, emphasised the significance of making communities part and parcel of solutions to fight crime.  

“Our communities need to have an understanding of what the work of the police entails. This Indaba has provided a platform for that. It also provides us an opportunity to assess their perceptions on whether we are meeting expectations of those we serve. 

“We need to mobilise our people and sensitise them on community policing. We take things a step further and say the inputs by commissions should form part of our annual performance plans,” he said. 

The chairperson of Community Policing Forum (CPF) in North West, Robert Malungane said fundamentally, CPFs ensure police accountability, transparency and generally connect the police with the community. Malungane highlighted the essence of supporting CPFs in their work. 

“With many challenges encountered in our line of duty, we remain unaverred because of our commitment to uphold community safety. Our position is that, while we need support, especially resources, we must not be deterred in our active citizenry,” he said. 

All stakeholders made a commitment to chart the course in collaboration. This includes various structures within community formations such as the North West House of Traditional and Khoi- San leaders, as governance structures, The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management with their oversight mandate and many others, who contributed meaningfully to the Indaba on ways to move the province forward and derail crime from undermining the gains of democracy. 

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