Locals disagree on ‘Tshwane is safest metro in SA’
Despite an independent national report crowning Tshwane as South Africa’s safest metropolitan city, residents, councillors and security professionals on the ground say their daily reality tells a different story.
The Tshwane metro has welcomed findings of an independent national study that ranked it the safest metropolitan city in South Africa, but not everyone agrees.
The 2024 State of Urban Safety in South Africa report, published by the South African Cities Network (SACN), named Tshwane as the country’s safest major city, citing rigorous data analysis to assess crime and safety levels across metros.
MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa, said the city welcomes the finding, which was backed by more than just “internal data or wishful thinking”.
“We welcome the confirmation that Tshwane is South Africa’s safest city. The safety data from the Tshwane Tourism Association is verified by this fully independent national report,” said Mabotsa.
However, residents, security companies and local councillors questioned the report’s reflection of day-to-day reality.
Ian Fuller, a resident of Pretoria east, was quick to dismiss the accolade.
“Safety and security are being able to walk freely and knowing police officers are visible and applying laws,” he said.
“You will not see police officers in Tshwane.”
He pointed to the lack of basic infrastructure, like working streetlights and sidewalks, as evidence of deeper safety issues.
“If it wasn’t for residents’ exterior lights, we’d have to walk with torches,” Fuller added.
“I can’t even let my son cycle to school because it’s unsafe.”
Private security companies in Tshwane said community-driven patrols were doing the heavy lifting.
Gerhard Rossouw, operations manager at CSI Security, said crime has improved, but that was largely due to their patrol efforts.
“We patrol our areas until 05:00. Without the patrols, there is no safety,” said Rossouw.
Roelie Hendriks, a director at Alpha Security, said it’s relatively safe during the day for tourists, but the situation changes after dark.
“We do free patrols from 23:00 to 05:00. If we didn’t, there would be far more break-ins,” said Hendriks.
He mentioned recent incidents in The Willows where patrollers had to chase down suspects involved in house burglaries.
“We, as communities, are the ones implementing safety. That’s the only reason it feels safe.”
Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller expressed doubt about Tshwane’s top ranking.
“If Tshwane is the safest, then the country must be in a terrible state,” she said.
Muller noted a recent phone-snatching in broad daylight.
She also said students in Hatfield live in constant fear both day and night.
“The crime rate is high. There is no two ways about it,” said Muller.
“Cable theft had returned in areas like Menlo Park.”
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