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In a strong move to curb rising campus crime, the SAPS Humewood Station, the Humewood Youth Crime Prevention Desk, and Nelson Mandela University (NMU) hosted a Students Crime Awareness Campaign at the NMU South Campus in the Eastern Cape. The initiative brought together law enforcement, university leaders, and students to promote vigilance and safety awareness.
Opening and Key Messages
The campaign began with a warm welcome from Ms. C. Booi, Residence Manager, who encouraged students to stay alert and support one another.
Next, Dr. M. Ntuli from Student Governance and Development praised the collaboration and reaffirmed NMU’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer learning environment.
Meanwhile, the incoming SRC President expressed concern over increasing security risks and urged students to work together in protecting their community.
Highlights and Demonstrations
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Mr. L. Jack unveiled a new data-free emergency response app, developed to connect students quickly with campus security and SAPS. The app was presented by Mr. Gantsa, who demonstrated its user-friendly features.
To build confidence, Ms. B. Nel-Naude led a self-defence demonstration, showing simple yet effective techniques for personal safety. The session inspired students to take active responsibility for their protection.
Law Enforcement and Expert Insights
During the panel discussions, Brigadier T.M. Hlomza, SAPS Humewood Station Commander, shared local crime statistics and emphasized the importance of reporting every incident. He assured students that SAPS remains committed to accountability and professionalism.
Additionally, Colonel R. Paulsen from the Metro Police explained the distinct roles of SAPS and Metro Police to help students understand how each department operates during emergencies.
Mr. Tim Macquire, Chairperson of the NMB Youth Crime Prevention Desk, highlighted the critical role young people play in promoting peace and steering peers away from criminal activities.
Collaborative Efforts and Safety Education
In the second session, Dr. Levendall from NMU’s Transformation Office, Ms. B. Mamosebo from the Residence Community Watch, and Ms. S. Nohashe from the Eastern Cape Liquor Board shared practical insights. They discussed programs that promote responsible behaviour, gender safety, and student empowerment.
Moreover, speakers encouraged continued collaboration between SAPS, the university, and students to strengthen existing safety measures.
Community Response and Future Plans
During the interactive Q&A session, students raised concerns about slow response times and limited campus patrols. Brigadier Hlomza responded directly, promising that SAPS would continue improving service delivery and professional conduct.
In closing, the Nelson Mandela Bay Youth Crime Prevention Desk reaffirmed its mission to mobilize young people against crime. The Desk also urged the Metro Municipality to employ graduates in Criminology and Law Enforcement to expand the city’s crime prevention network.
The event ended on a hopeful note, marking a successful collaboration that fostered unity, awareness, and commitment to safety across the NMU community.
