NORTH WEST LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY SAFETY ENGAGES DEPARTMENT ON CPF SUPPORT AND STOCK THEFT CHALLENGES

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA), chaired by Hon. Freddy Sonakile, yesterday met with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management to assess the functionality and support of Community Policing Forums (CPFs), as well as the province’s response to stock theft. The Committee welcomed the new MEC, Virginia Tlhapi, and urged her to hit the ground running, while also welcoming the return of Dr Hans Kekana as the substantive HOD. SAPS, led by Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Naidoo, also participated in the engagement.

The reports presented highlighted policy and resource challenges affecting the functionality of CPFs. On stock theft, the Committee requested detailed statistics on arrests, recovered livestock, prosecutions and convictions, as well as information on police officials implicated in stock theft and the action taken against them. Members also called for intelligence-driven operations targeting buyers, abattoirs and auctions where stolen livestock may enter the market.

“It is unacceptable that a province facing serious crime challenges has only R1.2 million per annum for community safety initiatives across all CPFs. We cannot expect communities to help fight crime while denying them the basic resources and support to do so. If we are serious about community safety, then policies, resources and the budget must demonstrate that commitment,” said Hon. Freddy Sonakile.

Members further raised concerns about CPF effectiveness, resource allocation, policy barriers and the broader stock theft value chain. The Committee resolved to hold a second engagement with the Department, SAPS and other stakeholders, where detailed statistics, responses and concrete interventions will be required.