ELSIES HAS HAD ENOUGH OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
By Norman Joseph

December 1, 2003 – (Cape Argus - Cape Town) Elsies River residents have taken up the challenge of tackling domestic violence in their community.

Today a series of street committees will be launched by local police, with support from the Elsies River Community Police Forum. Some of the committees have already started functioning.

The plan coincides with the 16-day national action against violence and abuse against women and children which ends on December 10.

Forum chairman Sara le Fleur and co-ordinator William Sampie said that the street committees would be able to focus on domestic violence in homes in accordance with the Domestic Violence Act.

Sampie said: "In the past residents knew about a person committing domestic violence, but could do little about the problem until the victim's body was found."

He told of the recent success of an informal street committee when a man was fined R2 000 for assaulting and abusing his girlfriend for the past five years. Sampie said: "He beat and stabbed his girlfriend repeatedly until a resident reported the man to a committee member, and the police were alerted."

Meanwhile, the Elsies River police force, with support from their forum, report that they are achieving a conviction rate of 85% of cases that get to court.

Police members are working closely with the Elsies River Community Police Forum in many instances.

"Within 24 hours we always achieve our goals," said Elsies River police station commissioner Senior Superintendent Jeremy Veary.

Murders, gang violence and other serious crimes in the Elsies River area have been dealt with in this way since February.

Veary said: "Our detectives and uniform members, supported by the forum, don't go home until we've cracked the case."

Arrests are being made, witnesses traced and the case dockets prepared for the court.

East Metropole area police spokesman Captain Adrian Saulse said he was aware of the success achieved by Elsies River police under the leadership of Veary.

"We at area head office are aware and appreciate the hard work," he said.

Today's launch of street committees is taking the success of co-operative policing a step further.

Committees in various areas will focus on crime prevention and problems, such as lack of street lights and unoccupied houses.

They will also focus on civic issues, the welfare of communities and domestic violence.

Alfred Diedericks of the South African National Civics Organisation and prominent Elsies River businessman Hanief Parker are some of the dignitaries attending today's launch in The Range, a residential area of Elsies River.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200312011064.html