Residents, business owners, and community stakeholders gathered at Wits Business School on March 26 for the Rosebank Community Policing Forum’s (CPF) annual general meeting, where collaboration and concern shared equal weight.

Chairperson Dr Bruce Young opened proceedings by reminding attendees that the CPF exists as a vital bridge between the community and the SAPS, with members volunteering their time to ensure accountability and oversight. Yet, despite its importance, the forum continues to face a familiar challenge: Encouraging greater community participation.

Read more: Bramley CPF Sector 2 encourages collaboration between local authorities and the private sector

Young described Rosebank as a unique precinct.

Although it remains one of the smallest policing areas with relatively low crime, its affluence and reliance on private security have led to a sense of detachment from SAPS. At the same time, the local police station is struggling to keep pace with the area’s rapid growth, with understaffing, limited resources, and even inadequate parking affecting operations.

Amid these challenges, there have been notable successes.

Community driven efforts have seen the police station receive a fresh coat of paint, thanks to support from Prominent Paints and an anonymous donor. Regular security meetings, held every two weeks and led by Warrant Officer Bongi Mdletshe, have also strengthened co-operation between private security companies and law enforcement.

Crime trends remain a key concern. While 2025 saw a troubling spike in murders, incidents such as house robberies have been less frequent. CAP representative Sean Jammy highlighted ongoing issues, including follow-home crimes, targeted attacks, and armed robberies along Jan Smuts Avenue.

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He also pointed to emerging tactics used by criminals, including remote signal replication in hijackings and so-called fast kidnappings near Alexandra.

Despite this, there is cautious optimism. “We are winning the fight against crime,” Jammy noted, citing a gradual decline in incidents and the disruption of several criminal groups. However, underreporting of minor offences continues to skew the true picture of crime in the area.

Residents were encouraged to remain vigilant, practise behavioural awareness, and strengthen home security measures.

Simple steps, such as limiting device use in public and ensuring alarm systems are functional, can make a significant difference.

The meeting concluded with the re-election of the current office bearers, who will serve for the next five years. New members, including Sarah Dewar and Anne Whitehead, also stepped forward, signalling a renewed commitment to community involvement.

As the evening drew to a close, one message stood clear.

While Rosebank may be well-resourced in parts, its safety still depends on active partnerships between residents, private security, and the police.

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