In the ongoing battle against crime, effective community involvement plays a crucial role in supporting law enforcement efforts. Both Neighbourhood Watches and Community Policing Forums (CPFs) have the potential to make significant strides in reducing crime, but they need proper funding, resources, and training to be truly effective. This sentiment was echoed by Durban crime activist Imtiaz Syed and Aidan David, the eThekwini district policing board chairperson, during the two-day Provincial Council Against Crime (CAC) strategic planning session in Durban.
The CAC, launched in November 2024, was designed to bring together various crime-fighting initiatives, consolidate efforts, and ultimately build trust between the police and local communities. The conference covered a range of critical issues, including shifting public perceptions of crime in KwaZulu-Natal, hotspot crime areas, and an insightful study on the impact of crime on victims.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, addressed the session, acknowledging the increasing crime rates that plague the province. He warned that criminals have grown bolder, undermining the safety of communities and deterring investment. Ntuli also highlighted the devastating effects of faction fights and mass murders in areas like Hlokozi, Loskop, and KwaNongoma, which have fragmented communities and disrupted educational institutions.
He further pointed out that crime is driven by a complex web of social, economic, and political factors, with some of the most dangerous criminals being as young as 22 years old. In response, Ntuli has initiated several crime summits in the past eight months to hear firsthand from communities about their challenges. During the council session, he expressed his commitment to confront these issues directly and to plan for a safer and more secure future for the province.
Moreover, a technical Lekgotla had recently convened, gathering technocrats, heads of departments, provincial commissioners, and municipal managers to assess past commitments and to strategize for the next five years.
Imtiaz Syed, who has long been involved in crime-fighting initiatives, including as the chairperson of the Mayville CPF, praised the CAC as a commendable idea. However, he pointed out the substantial gap between well-funded state structures and the often underfunded volunteer organizations such as CPFs and Neighbourhood Watches. These grassroots organizations are essential in the fight against crime, yet their limited resources and lack of financial backing restrict their effectiveness.
Syed emphasized the need for a cohesive strategy that addresses these disparities and ensures a more equitable distribution of resources. “Communities are where criminals live and operate,” he explained. “If they are to feel safe, they need the support of all law enforcement agencies. But this can only happen if organizations like CPFs and Neighbourhood Watches are properly funded and equipped.” He stressed that without a clear, supportive framework for these volunteer groups, they will continue to struggle and, ultimately, fail to make a meaningful impact.
Aidan David, while also acknowledging the importance of the CAC, voiced concerns about the exclusion of drug-related issues in the Premier’s address. He believes drugs are the primary driver behind much of the province’s crime and that more focus should be placed on combating the drug trade. David was also critical of the promises made by previous administrations to provide CPFs with the necessary tools and resources, urging Premier Ntuli to follow through on those commitments.
David also reflected on the history of community-based crime-fighting structures, noting that many of them have faltered when their budgets ran out, with new initiatives often emerging but failing to sustain momentum. “We need to stop reinventing the wheel,” he said. “Instead, we should build on the successful frameworks we already have, ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive.”
Both Syed and David agree that real progress in reducing crime in KwaZulu-Natal depends on a genuine commitment to empowering communities, providing them with the resources they need, and fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local organizations. Only through these concerted efforts can the province hope to secure a safer, more prosperous future for its residents.
