Middelburg — The Steve Tshwete Community Safety Forum (CSF) held a meeting at the Sydney Choma Banquet Hall on 20 November 2025 to address rising crime trends and finalise its newly developed Safer City Strategy.
MMC for Community Safety, Joseph Ngobeni, said the forum’s work represents an important milestone in building safer, more united and resilient communities.
“This gathering reminds us of the constitutional mandate guiding us as public servants and custodians of our communities,” he said. “Safety is not only about policing. It is about streetlights in dark areas, clearing overgrown bushes, creating opportunities, and addressing social issues such as domestic violence and substance abuse.”
Ngobeni emphasised that CSFs serve as multi-sector platforms that coordinate crime-fighting efforts across the local justice and security cluster. Departments represented include SAPS, Justice system, Correctional Services, SANDF and Social Development.
Crime statistics show progress
The forum reported a significant drop in stock theft, declining from 530 cases between August and October last year to 406 cases for the same period, this representing a 23,4% decrease.
The strategy aims to build a shared culture of safety by creating awareness around infrastructure maintenance and safety, promoting public participation in prevention and response efforts, highlighting the impact of vandalism on community safety and strengthening collaboration among departments and stakeholders.
The initiative prioritises vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and people who rely on public spaces and transport, especially those who cannot afford private security measures.
Several high-risk areas were highlighted across the municipality:
- Cowen Ntuli Street: drug possession
- Groblersdal Road: drug possession and assault
- Mhluzi (Extensions 2 & 5): assaults, murder, robbery, and rape
- Kwazamokuhle (Hendrina): assaults, rape, drug possession
- Pullenshope: rape, assaults, carjacking.
