Support and sobering crime stats welcome new district police commissioner
As Major General Nhlanhla Kubheka steps into her new role as Johannesburg district police commissioner, she’s met with messages of support and sobering crime stats that reveal just how big the task ahead is.
The newly appointed Johannesburg District Police Commissioner, Major General Nhlanhla Kubheka, was officially welcomed into her new role on July 15 during a strategic meet-and-greet held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways. An event marked by both celebration and sobering honesty about the state of crime in the city.
The session, attended by Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairs, senior officials from the Department of Community Safety, correctional services, and other stakeholders, offered the general messages of support and a firm pledge of co-operation.
“We acknowledge the sacrifices and hard work of our police officers, and we pledge to support you in your mission to keep our city safe,” said Nonhlanhla Dlamini, from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. “We are excited to see the positive impact your leadership will bring, but we won’t be able to build a safer Johannesburg if stakeholders aren’t actively participating. Everyone must come on board.”
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While a recent crime overview revealed a decline in incidents, Dlamini stressed that the perception of safety remains a key concern. “Even with stats going down, people don’t feel safe in the spaces they live in. That’s why Johannesburg Central has been identified by both the provincial and national government as a priority zone. If Johannesburg is safe, South Africa is safe.”
Adding further weight to the discussion, Nasi Moase, director of correctional services at Leeuwkop Prison, shared startling figures that reflect the scale of the justice system’s burden. “We currently have 3 489 offenders at Leeuwkop alone. Across Johannesburg, that figure stands at 10 769, with 4 753 sentenced offenders and 6 016 remand detainees. Leeuwkop doesn’t accommodate remands, only sentenced inmates.”
She added that community corrections, which covers parolees and those on house arrest, is also under strain. “Leeuwkop has a caseload of 1 131 parolees, and Johannesburg sits at 2 077. Among those, 865 have absconded from Leeuwkop’s parole supervision, a criminal offence, and Johannesburg, as a whole, has 2 945 absconders.”
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Moase also flagged the issue of lifers and foreign nationals in correctional facilities. “Leeuwkop is detaining 872 lifers, and Johannesburg has 696. Together, our facilities are holding 5 014 foreign nationals, 457 at Leeuwkop and 4 557 across the rest of Johannesburg.”
Despite the overcrowding, Moase assured the new district commissioner of their unwavering commitment. “We are not saying stop. Keep on arresting them. We will take care of them. We will guard them with the Department of Correctional Services Act (DOFA).”
The commissioner said, as she took the stand, that her leadership would be grounded in action, discipline, and meaningful collaboration. “As the captain of the ship, I will lead.” Kubheka outlined a six-pronged mission that prioritises integrated policing, stronger partnerships, and social impact.
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At the core of her mission is a deep belief that: “Criminals are very few among us,” and that united communities have the power to shift the tide on crime.
Kubheka also pointed to recent success stories, particularly in tackling violent and organised crime. “We have recorded commendable successes through multidisciplinary operations. These include Operation Shanela 2, Valamgodi, and various high-density operations.”
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