The recent Sector 3 meeting, convened by the police and the Community Policing Forum (CPF) at Realogile Secondary School, revealed the challenges of crime facing the community.

The detailed crime report that police shared with the residents, for the period between December and February, underscored how the sector is grappling with crime across different categories.

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Opening the meeting, CPF chairperson Sibabalo Mgijima explained that the report is meant to give residents insight into whether or not crime-fighting efforts are yielding results in the sector. The police report revealed that the sector has been battered by violent and property-related crimes. Murders and attempted murders remain stable but persistent. The police further revealed that assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault are particularly high, and unchecked violence frequently leads to more serious offences.

Robbery with aggravating circumstances is on the rise in the sector, while sexual offences and common robberies remain stable. The report further revealed that trio crimes – carjackings, house robberies, and business robberies – are also high. Furthermore, property-related crimes, such as business break-ins, and theft out of motor vehicles, peak on Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends, and that most crimes spike on weekends, particularly between 18:00–20:00 and 23:00–00:00.

Visible Policing Colonel Jerry Phaswana admitted that residents do not feel safe. “Our job is simple: To make sure people in the sector feel safe. Right now, that is not happening.”

Phaswana pointed to drugs as a major driver of crime. He also highlighted alcohol as a problem, noting that illegal shebeens often fuel weekend violence, noise complaints, and neighbour disputes. “On weekends, that is where we have problems. In Alexandra, there a lot of illegal shebeens. We are trying to manage, but we need you to help us.”

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He warned about the dangers of unlicensed firearms, often used recklessly under the influence, and raised concerns about undocumented immigrants being harboured by landlords without checks.

The meeting gave residents a platform to air their concerns. Some voiced their frustration over delayed police responses and a fear of reporting crimes, saying informants could be easily identified. Some alleged that police know exactly where drug dens and illegal shebeens are, but fail to act. At the same time, others raised concerns about escalating school violence, sometimes right next to police stations. Some parents described escorting children to school due to youth-on-youth violence, while many said they trust CPF patrollers more than police, because of their visibility and dedication despite lacking weapons.

Phaswana urged the community to work together with the police to address crime. “Alone [police] are nothing. There must be a community working with the police. That is why there is a CPF.”

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