A group of Strandfontein residents have lodged a complaint with the Western Cape police oversight and community safety (POCS) department, outlining concerns over the election of the Strandfontein community police forum (CPF) executive committee (Exco), which took place on December 5, 2024.

The residents cited alleged violations of certain sections in the department’s Directives and Guidelines on Elections at Annual General Meetings for Community Police Forums and Board Structures, 2019-2020, as the basis of their dispute.

They claim that, among others, the CPF held its annual general meeting (AGM) without meeting the required quorum of 15 registered organisations; the department presented no voters’ roll or ballot of nominees; the CPF’s public relations officer Kyle Swartz was called on the night of AGM to be on the exco and subsequently elected on the night;

According to 4.1.2 of the directives, organisations (existing and new) intending to vote at the AGM must register with the CPF and with the department of POCS on the prescribed form and an AGM cannot take place if fewer than 15 organisations are registered with the CPF, said Gavin Thompson, Strandfontein resident and neighbourhood watch and Community in Blue member.

“Not even five were present. As per members in attendance at the AGM, no voters' rolls were presented and neither was there any ballot of nominees.

“Kyle Swartz, who was elected as PRO, was called on the night of the AGM asking him if he wanted to be on the CPF Exco and subsequently included therein,” he said.

Mr Thompson questioned why the AGM was not cancelled as a local housing meeting took place in Strandfontein on the same night and made allegations of nepotism involving the chairperson Sandy Schuter-Flowers and her husband Faizel Flowers.

“The CPF chairperson sent out a social media post stressing the importance for residents attending the housing meeting, hence the community representation was not met, but the AGM went ahead anyway.

“Faizel Flowers, the husband of the chairperson, is an additional member of the CPF Exco and is the Strandfontein Neighbourhood Watch chairperson, which is seen as a conflict of interest. The CPF is the oversight body for the neighbourhood watch and policing services,” he said.

“Members put in nominations for serving on the CPF, but the nominations were not considered or recorded on the notes of the meeting,” Mr Thompson added.

Responding to Mr Thomson’s claims, Justin Kumlehn, deputy-chairperson of the City of Cape Town district CPF board said the directives and guideline, which form the basis of the group’s dispute, are outdated.

“The policy guidelines being referred to are for 2019 and therefore have no bearing on the current AGM process as the Western Cape Uniform Constitution for Community Police Forums and Boards (WCUCCPFB) 03/24 in conjunction with the 2024 Guidelines are what were used.

“There is no prescribed number of member organisations needed in order to ensure the AGM may go ahead. The database was sent to POCS and was signed off by them as well,” Mr Kumlehn said in a written response to the group.

Responding to the Plainsman after consulting the Strandfontein CPF chairperson and police, Ishaam Davids, deputy-director of communications for Western Cape POCS, said the department has also responded to the group in writing.

Mr Davids said Strandfontein police and CPF issued invitations to the AGM via print and social media, and emails.

“Out of all the interventions done by the SAPS and CPF to correspond with the organisations, only five organisations applied for membership. All were present to the elections, hence the quorum was met or achieved.

“On the night of the AGM, the proof of correspondence to organisations and general public was made available for the attendees. The general public was also present as observers to witness the proceedings,” he said.

Mr Davids said the department received the voters’ roll, comprising details of five organisations that applied for membership, from Strandfontein police, which it reviewed, approved and sent back to the police.

"SAPS was informed that the list cannot be edited or amended after approval as it will serve as the voters’ roll to the AGM proceedings.

“There is no prescribed number of member organisations needed in order to ensure the AGM may go ahead. Only member organisations may nominate, second and vote but they may nominate, second and vote for anyone in the community,” he said.

With regards to Kyle Swartz’s election to PRO role, Mr Davids said that Mr Swartz was nominated to that position, which was seconded, both by registered member organisations.

"In terms of being called on the day of the meeting, he was reminded by one of his colleagues from their organisation that the meeting is taking place, hence he pitched up to the meeting before the proceedings,“ he explained, adding: “There is nothing in the constitution or guidelines, which forbids caucusing.”

Mr Davids said the Strandfontein CPF annual general meeting was advertised long before the notice of the local housing meeting that took place on the same night.

"The meeting notification about the housing meeting was received a week before the day of the AGM, hence it was never postponed. A directive was issued stipulating that both meetings should be attended, but is fundamental that the member organisations attend the AGM elections, hence, the quorum was achieved,” he said.

Responding to the claims of nepotism, Mr Davids said that Mr Flowers, a Business Electronics representative, was nominated as an additional member and seconded by one of the registered member organisations.

“According to the complainant, Mr Flowers was not representing as a neighbourhood watch structure, and even if he was, he was eligible to be nominated and voted to the position. Of course, he would have to relinquish one of the chairperson positions. In this case, he was representing business and he is not even a chairperson of a neighbourhood watch but a secretary,” he said.

Mr Davids added that despite several reminders from the CPF, none of the member organisations submitted nomination forms prior to the AGM.

“Hence, there were no nomination forms at hand on the day of the AGM. POCS together with the Cape Town Sub-District Chairperson requested approval to have nominations on the floor,” Mr Davids said.

The Plainsman also reached out to Strandfontein CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter-Flowers who said that the POCS department responded on behalf of the CPF.

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Strandfontein CPF elections under spotlight