While Alexandra’s hostels have long been associated with serious crime, police say the Helen Joseph Women’s Hostel stands out as the least troubled.

Police report that the hostel has remained relatively quiet compared to others in the area. While men’s hostels have, in the past, been plagued by serious incidents, Helen Joseph’s cases have largely been limited to schedule 1 offences, such as break-ins.

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Alexandra Police Station Commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane confirmed that reports he received from residents at a recent hostel meeting were restricted to break-ins and unlawful evictions. “At the women’s hostels, we don’t have serious crimes. It is the quietest hostel among them all. At the hostel, you cannot get a complaint of murder.”

He explained that while shootings are often reported at other hostels, Helen Joseph remains the least violent. “But they are having a problem with housebreaking. People are breaking into their houses, and some of them are unlawfully evicted from their homes. That is not allowed. No one has the authority to evict a person.”

Although the hostel itself has not been battered by more serious crimes, incidents of armed robberies around the hostel remain a concern. Residents point out to some boys living in the hostel as the alleged perpetrators behind crimes reported in the area.

Ngubane confirmed that the boys living there are the ones alleged to be committing crime. Despite the absence of formal security, Ngubane noted that crime in the area has been limited by the visibility of community patrollers. “What I am happy about is that they have patrollers who are patrolling in the area.”

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Meanwhile, Ward 107 councillor Floyd Ngwenya acknowledged that the hostel, like many other areas, is affected by crime. He emphasised the need for a dedicated law enforcement team for Helen Joseph. “We are hoping that we will receive a special team that will deal with issues of Helen Joseph. Issues are there.”

Furthermore, he highlighted the vulnerability of women returning from taxis at night, noting how they are often targeted by boys, some of whom live in the hostel.

Ngwenya urged parents at the hostel, whom he described as the biggest stakeholders in fighting crime, to reprimand their children when they begin engaging in wrongdoing because they live with them in the same units. “It is our responsibility, as the community of Alexandra, to make sure that we fight crime.”

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