Elections were held at the Knysna Police Station to elect a new executive committee for the Knysna Community Policing Forum (CPF). It is with great pleasure and well deserved congratulations that Knysna welcomes the appointment of Cheryl Britz as its new chairperson. Britz has been the Community Police Forum public relations officer for the past five years and is well-known for her dedicated role in serving the Greater Knysna community.
The election was observed by an IEC official and officiated by a representative of the Department of Community Safety who travelled all the way from Cape Town. The new, elected committee consists of Cheryl Britz (chairperson), Bertie Beël (vice-chairperson), Rose Kolanisi (vice-secretary and SAPS representative), Lilian Harker (treasurer), Luvuyo Jonas (project co-ordinator) and Jessica Traill (public relations officer).
The CPF would like to thank the Knysna station commander, Colonel Atwell Metu, Sergeant Chris Spies and the team of Knysna SAPS for their joint commitment to the community of Knysna.
They also thanked Rochelle Kock, the outgoing chairperson, and all the other volunteer members who served on the previous committee, for their hard work and commitment to the CPF over the past three years.
The Knysna Community Policing Forum looks forward to continuing to strengthen the very important communication channels and partnerships that have been created between the community which it serves and the SAPS. In the past year, the CPF has worked closely with the six Community Police Sub-Forum members, participating in awareness initiatives and projects in the different sectors of Knysna, establishing new neighbourhood watch structures and strengthening existing ones in Knysna and surrounding areas.
As the new CPF committee members step into their roles, the aim is to continue in the joint efforts in fighting crime, creating awareness and building a strong partnership between the community and the SAPS.
One event being organised by the Sector 1 CPS, partnered by the SAPS, Knysna Municipality, Provincial Traffic Department and all stakeholders, is the 16 Days of Activism White Ribbon Walk Initiative on this coming Saturday, November 29. The walk starts at 10:00 from the corner of Waterfront Drive and Hedge Street and continues up into the Main Street before circling back to the starting point. An invitation is extended to the Greater Knysna community to attend the free event wearing something white, in an effort to create awareness in the fight against abuse in our area.
If you would like to get involved and know more about the CPF members and neighbourhood watch structures in your area, contact Cheryl Britz on jccj@absamail.co.za.
The new committee of the Knysna Community Policing Forum are (from left) Luvuyo Jonas (project co-ordinator), Rose Kolanisi (vice-secretary), Cheryl Britz (chairperson), Bertie Beel (vice-chairperson), Knysna SAPS station commander Colonel Atwell Metu, Major Patrick Gogwana and Lillian Harker (treasurer) and Jessica Traill (public relations officer). Photo: Suzi Giliomee (suzi@thesen-islands.co.za).
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