Six die as community policing forum members are ‘ruthlessly ambushed’ days after SAPS ‘roadshow’ in village

Six members of the community policing forum (CPF) in Godini village, Qumbu, in the Eastern Cape were killed and four wounded when gunmen opened fire on them on Sunday — days after the Civilian Directorate of the SA Police Service (SAPS) held a “roadshow” in the village, at which the implementation of a community policing plan was discussed.

The director-general of the Civilian Secretariat, Thulani Sibuyi, said the victims were “ruthlessly ambushed”. He said their activities were part of the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy in the area.

“As we encourage community members to take ownership of their safety through legitimate community mobilisation, the government will not tolerate any means and forms of sabotage by irrational acts of criminality,” said Sibuyi.

The Civilian Secretariat provides the police minister with advice, research support and civilian oversight of the SAPS.

Sibuyi said the Mhlontlo Municipality, where Godini is situated, was one of the top districts for stock theft and murder in the province.

“Communities in this municipality live under enormous fear and threat,” he said. “During our marketing roadshow on 4 October, we learned of the anarchy at play in this municipality.

“Our department has undertaken to deal with the stock robbery that is crippling the economy of this municipality, and we remain committed to this cause,” he said.

He said they would train CPFs.

Read more: ‘Senseless and brutal’ — 6 dead, 4 injured as Qumbu police forum ambushed at Eastern Cape school

The CPF patrollers were at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School when they were attacked just before 11pm on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said the CPF members were attacked by “at least” eight men with rifles and handguns.

Six members died at the scene, and four were seriously injured and rushed to hospital. Nkohli said that according to residents, the CPF members were preparing for their nighttime patrol.

The motive for the ambush was unknown.

Sibuyi said, “Our intervention in the last week has capacitated this community to organise themselves, as all members of society must participate in the fight against crime. We call upon the police to provide more visibility in this municipality and to deal with the crime in a swift and decisive manner.”

The mass shooting in Godini occurred just over a week after 18 people were killed by gunmen in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.

Read more: ‘Their silence is talking to us’ – police minister vows to bring Lusikisiki mass murderers to justice

Need to strengthen CPFs

During a community meeting in Eastern Cape in September, several CPFs approached the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, to raise their concerns that they were vastly under-resourced and undertrained. CPF leaders said some of their members were patrolling with “lanterns” and knobkerries (walking sticks).

In his speech during the signing of a cooperation agreement between the police, Eastern Cape government and the Nelson Mandela Bay metro to fight crime, Mchunu said one of the focus areas was community-driven initiatives.

“Our communities are at the forefront of the fight against crime. We must strengthen community policing forums and promote neighbourhood safety initiatives. This agreement will enhance support for such grassroots efforts, empowering local stakeholders to take active roles in crime prevention.”

Read more: Flexible community policing is vital to local safety, but our CPFs are often ineffective

The Eastern Cape MEC for transport, safety and security, Xolile Nqatha, said he was “utterly shocked” by the incident.

“I wish to convey our message of condolences to the families of the deceased. I want to assure the people of this province that no criminality will break our resolve to defeat lawlessness,” said Nqatha.

The spokesperson for the Mhlontlo Municipality, Mamela Mangcotywa, called for calm. She said they were deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of the Godini community.

ANC spokesperson Gift Ngqondi called for a 72-hour activation plan “to help bring these heartless criminals to book”.

“We further call for the reinforcement of the Tactical Response Team and National Intervention Unit in Qumbu to hunt down these criminals who are the enemy of our democratic state and our communities.” DM