Free State: The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched the Campus Community Safety Forum at the University of Free State, aiming to foster a safe and supportive environment for students, faculty, and visitors. This initiative was announced during a special gathering attended by young men and women from the University and neighboring institutions, emphasizing the collective responsibility of campus safety.
According to South African Police Service, the event underscored the need for a culture of mutual respect, kindness, and care, where safety is a shared responsibility. The SAPS, mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, is committed to creating a secure environment and collaborating with institutions of higher learning to combat crime effectively. The launch of the Campus Community Safety Forum is part of the broader Learning Environment Safety Framework (LESF) developed after the 2022 Learning Environment Safety Summit.
The Deputy Minister of Police, Mr. Cassel Mathale, is spearheading this initiative, demonstrating his passion for the safety of young people. His recent engagements in Mpumalanga highlighted issues such as bullying, teen pregnancy, and youth crime, which are of significant concern in South Africa. The involvement of young people in crime, often as runners for gangs to transport drugs, weapons, or money, presents a serious challenge.
The SAPS aims to continue engaging with higher education institutions to establish safety structures like the Campus Community Safety Forums. These forums represent a collective effort to combat crime and enhance security in educational settings. The University of Free State’s new forum is a significant step forward, and the commitment shown by all stakeholders aims to ensure a safer future for students and staff.
The event concluded with a call to action for everyone involved to prioritize safety, foster awareness, and engage in collaboration to make this initiative successful. The SAPS continues to encourage the campus community to utilize available resources and work collectively towards building a resilient campus environment.