eMalahleni residents voiced sharp criticism against authorities during a public hearing hosted by the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Security and Liaison at Lynnville Community Hall recently.
The event was held on February 19.

The hearing, meant to gather first-hand accounts of crime-related challenges, turned into a platform for residents to slam SAPS and the department for failing to protect communities from escalating crime.

“The level of crime in eMalahleni is way too high to be discussed in just two hours. We needed more than two hours for this,” said a resident. “We don’t sleep at night here in eMalahleni. When the sun sets, gunshots echo,” she added.

Community members raised serious grievances, ranging from rampant drug and substance abuse to allegations of police corruption and extortion. They accused SAPS officers of colluding with criminals, accepting bribes from undocumented foreign nationals, and failing to provide feedback on reported crimes.

Residents also demanded the establishment of a police station in KwaGuqa, complained about school burglaries and vandalism, and warned that illegal mining and the unchecked ownership of security companies by foreign nationals posed a grave threat to public safety.

“How many schools reported burglaries recently? What actions were taken? How many people were arrested?” asked another resident.

One of the strongest sentiments expressed was that people are living in fear daily, while law enforcement appears either complicit or ineffective. Calls for accountability and immediate action dominated the hearing, with residents demanding visible policing, stricter sentencing, and transparency in community safety initiatives.

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In response, Major General Moloko Selepe of SAPS acknowledged the concerns and pledged to act on the petitions raised during the session. She urged residents to report corrupt officers. However, her assurances did little to quell the anger, as many residents felt that promises without tangible results have become routine.

Member of the Mayoral Committee, Sizwe Buthelezi, admitted that crime levels are “unacceptably high” and described the situation as unjust. He emphasised that fighting crime is a collective responsibility, but residents countered that authorities must first demonstrate genuine commitment and deliver concrete solutions.

Committee chairperson Life Monini and fellow members stressed the need for moral and social interventions, suggesting that structures like the Moral Regeneration Movement could help instill ethical behaviour. Yet, residents remained sceptical, insisting that immediate, practical measures are needed to restore safety and trust.

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— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) February 26, 2026

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