UJ students march on Brixton Police Station to demand increased safety and patrols
Students say they should be able to travel between campus and their homes without fearing for their safety.
Safety concerns have driven University of Johannesburg (UJ) students to take their demands beyond campus, calling for greater police visibility where they live, study and travel.
Students, including members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, gathered at Brixton Police Station on September 17 to hand over a memorandum calling for stronger security measures. They said their safety should not end at the university gates, particularly in areas such as Auckland Park, Brixton and Westdene, where many UJ students live.
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UJ EFF chairperson Lwazi Sithole said students formed part of the wider community and should therefore have access to police protection outside the institution. The students said they were increasingly concerned about moving between their residences, homes and campus, and wanted law enforcement to have a stronger presence in areas frequented by students.
UJ student Siyamthanda Zikalala said, “We are here to demand more safety. We are here to ensure that every student who leaves their residence or leaves their home is safe and returns home.”
A key demand from the students was increased police visibility and regular patrols around UJ and surrounding neighbourhoods. Zikalala called for police to conduct operations in areas where students live and travel.
The students said campus security remained important but argued that security measures should extend into surrounding communities, where students spend much of their time outside university grounds. The demonstration also included the release of purple balloons, which students said represented solidarity with women who had experienced gender-based violence and those who had lost their lives.
Zikalala said the gesture was intended to remind survivors and families of victims that they were not alone, while also remembering women who had died amid the ongoing gender-based violence crisis.
Brixton SAPS received the memorandum from the students. Questions were sent on September 18 to the police regarding the students’ concerns. Brixton police confirmed receipt and indicated that a response would be provided by September 21.
The publication followed up again on September 22 for a response.
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Vox-Pops: Why was it important for you to be part of this march?
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