CPF warns of vigilante groups HONEYDEW – National CPF warns neighbourhood groups to be registered with SAPS or PSIRA.

The Honeydew SAPS and the National Community Policing Forum (CPF) Board decided that all neighbourhood watch, resident’s associations and block watch structures must fall within the relevant CPF station and sector structures with immediate effect.

These structures and patrollers must be registered with the relevant police station in which they operate as well as be fingerprinted and checked for criminal records by SAPS. Further to this, these groups need to be inducted and trained, which will be arranged by SAPS and the office of the MEC for Community Safety.

All theses structures must be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) as service providers or security officers.

In an unrelated meeting, the executive director of PSIRA confirmed that they are busy compiling a policy document, in conjunction with SAPS at National level that will be available shortly. It was further advised that no private firearms may be carried in the performance of neighbourhood watch duties.

Any neighbourhood watch structures, patrollers and organisers that do not adhere to these conditions will be prohibited and could face criminal prosecution.

Honeydew CPF, public relations officer, Jon Rosenberg said that the public should question and ask for proof before they decide to join groups like these. The CPF office keeps a file on all these structures, which includes their constitution and a map detailing their area of operation.

“Anyone not adhering to these regulations will be seen as a vigilante group and dealt with accordingly,” said Rosenberg.
Details: Honeydew CPF, infoho@honeydew-cpf.org.za.