THE Ministry of Police, SAPS management and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on Tuesday launched the nationwide Campus Community Safety Forum (CCSF) at the UKZN Westville campus.

The ministry said: “This launch is part of the SAPS strategy to create a safe and secure learning environment for students.”

The SAPS also set up an exhibition at the campus to showcase the vast array of career opportunities available within the service.

The ministry said the CCSF is a collective effort to build a community where students feel protected, supported and are free to pursue their aspirations.

Topics which were discussed addressed legislative framework on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), mental health needs for victims of GBVF, and the challenges faced by the university in supporting students.

UKZN students had the opportunity to address a panel about crime issues and their concerns over safety.

On the second day of the launch, acting KZN SAPS Commissioner, Major General Phumelele Makoba, addressed students and reiterated that the SAPS cannot fight crime alone and that “we need to collaborate with different structures”.

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The head of the SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit, Major General Thokozani Mathonsi, was among the dignitaries who signed a pledge which kickstarted a journey to a safer campus at the university.

Mathonsi presented the Campus Safety framework:

· Ensure protection of students and the entire university community

· Build relationship between the local police station, security personnel and the university

· Undertake joint pro-active crime prevention initiatives

· Improve police response to any incident of crime in the institution

· Prevent GBVF and acts of sexual harassment within the university

“The members of the CCSF were introduced to attendees and they are expected to play a critical role in the prevention of risks, ensuring that students are safe and in the implementation of crime prevention strategies. The CCSF will also promote collaboration among staff, students, the SAPS and other security structures,” said the police ministry.

According to a SAPS statistics report of 2024/25 presented at the launch, crime in and around institutions of learning, schools, universities, colleges and day care facilities, was as follows:

> In quarter 4 of 2024/2025, 335 incidents were of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), 26 were of attempted murder, and six were of murder.

> In quarter 3 of 2024/2025, 302 incidents were of assault GBH, 28 of attempted murder, and 11 of murder.

> In quarter 2 of 2024/25, 318 incidents were of assault GBH, 24 of attempted murder and 13 of murder.

> And in quarter 1 of 2024/25, 259 incidents were of assault GBH, 18 of attempted murder and 12 of murder.

According to the report, alcohol, drugs and substance abuse as well as poor physical security, gangsterism and high crime rates in surrounding areas were contributing factors.

At the launch, the potential risks confronting institutions of higher learning were also pointed out:

· Criminal infiltration of campuses by criminals

· Criminally-organised student protests

· Campuses as hiding places for fugitives

· Gangsterism and serious crime

· Drugs and substance abuse, including illicit labs

· Cybercrime / cyberattack

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