As South Africans across the country toasted new beginnings and resolutions in the first weeks of 2026, that hope was quickly shattered for at least eight women in Alexandra. Before January had even drawn to a close, the women became victims of rape, a crime police say is intertwined with the township’s nightlife and alcohol culture.

Police confirmed that eight cases of rape were recorded at the station in the first 28 days of the year. They revealed that women remain the most vulnerable, particularly in the early hours of the morning when leaving taverns and other nightlife venues.

Read more: Station commander reveals Alex rape cases often involve acquaintances or ex-partners

Visible Policing Commander Colonel Jerry Phaswana said the eight rape cases, along with violent crimes such as assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault, can be linked to alcohol, which he described as a major enabler of crime in Alexandra.

“ The majority of the people who are being raped, are being raped early hours in the morning, coming from the taverns. Hence we are saying alcohol has become one of the serious generators of crime in Alexandra,” Phaswana explained.

He said this is why police are encouraging residents to provide information about alleged rapists in the community, stressing that cooperation is key to tackling the crisis.

Also read: Alex woman battles rape trauma

Illegal shebeens remain central to the escalation of violent crime in Alexandra. Alcohol has not only been linked to rape cases but also to the township’s alarming number of murder cases.

Phaswana reinforced the message that illegal shebeens must be shut down. However, he admitted that the fight against them is not always supported by residents.

“When we raid these shebeens, the community fights us, telling us that we are destroying their business,” he said, emphasising how alcohol enables crime and drives up violent crime statistics at the local station.

The January cases add to Alexandra’s crisis of sexual violence, which ranks among the highest nationally. According to second-quarter crime statistics, the local police station features in the country’s top 30 for sexual offences, with 49 counts recorded between July and September 2025. The station also appears on the national list of top 30 stations grappling with rape cases.

Although the statistics remain concerning, operations like the recent Operation Shanela II have made inroads. The January 24 operation in Alexandra, led to 35 arrests for serious offences, including rape, underscoring police action in the embattled township. It also led to the closure of multiple illegal liquor outlets.

Police continue to call for the shutdown of illegal shebeens and stronger community partnerships to address crime in Alexandra.

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