UKZN SRC supports new safety forum initiative for enhanced student safety

The Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has welcomed the launch of the Campus Community Safety Forum (CCSF).

The forum was launched at UKZN's Westville campus, by the South African Police Service, in partnership with UKZN and the Department of Higher Education and Training this week.

It is aimed at tackling crime and improving security for students.

UKZN SRC president, Syabonga Mlondo, said the forum was “a step in the right direction” but stressed that follow-through would be key.

Speaking at the launch, acting KZN provincial police commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba, emphasised that police cannot fight crime in isolation.

“As mandated by the constitution, the South African Police Service is to prevent, combat, and investigate crime. But as much as this responsibility is entrusted to SAPS, SAPS cannot fight crime alone. That is why we need collaboration with different structures, hence we have CPFs (community policing forums) and youth crime prevention initiatives. So we require every stakeholder to collaborate, and in this instance, the UKZN. We want to have this partnership,” he said.

The police have a national strategy to establish Campus Community Safety Forums at institutions of higher learning. According to the police, the forums will bring together students, university management, campus security, and local police to jointly implement crime prevention measures.

The forum’s objectives include ensuring the protection of students, building relationships between police and universities, undertaking joint proactive crime prevention initiatives, improving police response times, and preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual harassment within campuses.

The Civilian Secretariat for Police, represented by Lindiwe Chauke, acknowledged the specific safety risks faced by universities. “South African universities and colleges have experienced their share of crime and lack of safety, which seems to increase. The constitution of South Africa states that all citizens have the right to safety in their country. Students have shown little faith in the police, showing their reluctance to go to the police and report crime,” she said.

The SRC's Mlondo said: “The SRC welcomes the launch of the Campus Community Safety Forum (CCSF) as a step in the right direction towards strengthening campus safety. For many years, students have raised concerns about their security, both on and around campus. We believe that the CCSF, if implemented inclusively and effectively, has the potential to address these concerns in a sustainable way.”

He highlighted pressing security issues including “incidents of theft, muggings, and break-ins, particularly in areas surrounding campus residences and transport pick-up points,” as well as poor lighting and delays in emergency responses.

“We would like the CCSF to prioritise tackling these issues immediately to restore students’ confidence in their safety,” he added.

The SRC pledged to play “an active role within the CCSF by serving as the direct voice of students in its deliberations” and called for stronger consultation mechanisms.

“The effectiveness of this initiative will rely on consistent engagement with students, not only during the launch but throughout its operations,” Mlondo said.

The launch concluded with dignitaries signing a pledge committing to campus safety, symbolising the beginning of what SAPS described as “a safer South Africa through multi-disciplinary collaboration.”

According to SAPS, the Campus Community Safety Forum programme will hold launches at Sefako Makgatho University in Gauteng this week, Tshwane University of Technology next week and at Vhembe TVET College in Limpopo from October 22.

THE MERCURY