Tensions flare at Milnerton CPF election meeting

What was meant to be a routine election meeting for the Milnerton Community Police Forum (CPF) turned tense on Thursday, October 23, with disputes, objections, and walkouts disrupting proceedings at the Milnerton police station.

The meeting aimed to fill three vacant positions - chairperson, secretary, and deputy secretary - but instead became a contentious gathering marked by procedural disputes and questions over legitimacy.

The meeting began nearly 30 minutes late due to delays involving police oversight and community safety spokesperson Fagrodien Johnson, who chaired the session.

Frustrated by the wait, several residents and civic representatives left before the meeting started.

This gathering followed a postponed session originally held on Tuesday, October 7, which was meant to include elections but was delayed to allow more local organisations to register as members of the CPF (“Milnerton CPF meeting postponed for greater representation,” Tabletalk, October 8).

According to the CPF membership database, represented organisations included Milnerton Ridge, Rugby West, Summer Greens, Milnerton Central, Tygerhof, Phoenix, Sunset Beach, and  Dunoon Neighbourhood Watches, as well as Phoenix Ratepayers’ and Community Forum (PRCF), and Tijgerhof Residents’ Association.

Gabriel Verhoef was nominated as chairperson but left the meeting due to delays. 

Although there were no objections to his nomination, some civic representatives questioned which organisation he represented.

 As a result, Linda Mqikela will remain the acting chairperson until further notice.

Gordon Munro of Tijgerhof was also nominated for chairperson but declined, saying he already serves on several civic structures.

Jacqui Pember and Charnel Lamb were nominated and accepted their roles as secretary and deputy secretary, respectively.

The elections followed the controversial removal of former chairperson Mariel Davila-Buys, who was reportedly asked to step down. However, Ms Davila-Buys denies this, saying she never resigned.

“This isn’t factual. I have never resigned from any positions,” she said.

Ms Davila-Buys said she was informed of her alleged resignation via WhatsApp messages circulated among civic groups on Saturday,  August 23, and has since challenged the claim.

She has opened two fraud cases at Milnerton Police Station, but said she has not received any feedback.

“Nearly a month has passed, and I haven’t heard a thing about what is taking place with my case,” she said.

According to Ms Davila-Buys, she was told that her Argentinian citizenship disqualified her from serving on the CPF’s executive, despite having been inducted as chairperson on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. 

She maintains that both the Milnerton police and the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety were aware of her nationality and that she is married to a South African citizen.

At Thursday’s meeting, Ms Davila-Buys was accompanied by her attorney, advocate Carlo Viljoen, who raised repeated objections to the election process, describing it as “illegal.”

“I would like to note for the record that Ms Davila’s position is still the same - she has not stepped down,” said Mr Viljoen.

Mr Johnson appeared visibly frustrated by the interruptions and responded: “This is a promulgated structure, and the new executives will deal with this matter. You must understand that the person in question has been removed from their position because of a constitutional clause, but that cannot be discussed here. You have the right to take it up with the new executive.”

Ms Davila-Buys also demanded that Mr Jacobs publicly acknowledge receiving her email regarding her alleged resignation.

She said the email clearly states that she did not resign from her position. He confirmed receipt but said the issue was out of his hands.

“There are urgent safety and security concerns across this entire policing precinct. Residents may wonder what the CPF is doing to help, which is why the new executives need to be elected. I sincerely hope there are no more interruptions,” he said.

When contacted for comment, Milnerton police station commander Colonel Helena Mouton said: “The case in question is under investigation and therefore I cannot comment or discuss it. The stepping down of Ms Davila-Buys is personal in nature and not to be discussed on an open platform.”