Campus Community Safety Forum established at UKZN for improved campus security

The Campus Community Safety Forum (CCSF) has been launched at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), bringing together multiple stakeholders to bolster campus safety. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Police Ministry, South African Police Service management and the Department of Higher Education and Training led the launch of the CCSF, which included the signing of a pledge and the establishment of the forum.

UKZN Risk Management Services (RMS) director Lovemore Khumalo said the forum is a collective established to strengthen efforts in creating a safe, secure, and supportive environment across all five campuses.

Each forum member represents a crucial stakeholder and brings valuable experience and insight to this role.

Khumalo said the structure unites individuals whose expertise, leadership, and dedication to service will help shape the direction of their campus safety initiatives. 

“This structure will meet regularly to assess risks, prevent incidents, and respond to crime across all campuses. Its work will be vital in strengthening collaboration between the university and the South African Police Service (SAPS),” Khumalo said. 

He said key priorities for the structure include: 

• Coordinate the development of crime prevention strategies in student-dense areas, especially those with a high number of residences.
• Address drug and alcohol abuse, along with associated activities, on and around campuses. This is crucial for student well-being and safety.
• Ensure comprehensive support and care to victims of crime, with particular focus on survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in cooperation with university support staff and other specialised units.
• Address enablers of crime, such as the issue of illegal access to campuses by neighbouring communities
• Promote stronger collaboration between students, staff, RMS, local law enforcement agencies, private security providers, urban improvement precincts and community policing forums. This will ensure responses to security concerns are proactive and coordinated.
• Raise awareness by engaging students and staff in campaigns, workshops, and training.
• Leverage technology and innovation to support safety efforts, from improved surveillance to accessible reporting mechanisms that encourage swift responses.
• Ensure continuous risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, anticipate emerging threats, and implement proactive measures that enhance overall campus safety.
• Ensure WhatsAppcommunication groups are implemented in campuses. 

Khumalo highlighted that while district offices are not formally part of this structure, they have been generous in opening their doors to allow direct engagement with them. Additionally, the Office of the Metro Police Commissioner has also been supportive.

Civilian Secretariat for Police Service’s Lindiwe Chauke said the team will be inclusive of the protection service, student formation, university management, community police forum, local police station, and any stakeholder interested in the safety of the student and protection of the infrastructure. 

“It is expected of this team to ensure the safety of the students on and off the campus. Students outside also need to have the contact numbers of the campus liaison officer and the sector manager, who is the commander in any emergency. The Civilian Secretariat for police will also visit the university for the anti-crime campaign, where they will assist with the personal alarm for the student and also an alarm that will be installed in the corridors of the residence,” Chauke said. 

Youth Crime Prevention Desk provincial chairperson, Mbalenhle Ndelu, said they will work closely with students. 

“The job you will start is not easy. It’s difficult to stand against crime because you are blocking those who want to hurt others. There will be challenges, but you will see success,” Ndelu said. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za