As thousands of first-year
students embark on their university journey at Vaal University of Technology
(VUT), safety remains a top concern. From falling victim to fraudulent
accommodation scams to facing the dangers of common robberies and Gender-Based
Violence and Femicide (GBVF), many students step into an unfamiliar environment
without a clear understanding of the risks. The Department of Community Safety,
in collaboration with key stakeholders, took decisive action by hosting a
student engagement session on Friday, 14 February 2025, at the VUT Residence
Sports Ground.
The session, held as part of
orientation activities, brought together law enforcement agencies, university
security, and local authorities, including the VUT Protection Service, SAPS
Vanderbijlpark, the Community Police Forum, Sedibeng District Municipality,
Emfuleni Local Municipality, and the Gauteng Departments of Social Development
and Health. Their shared goal, to equip students with critical safety
knowledge, strengthen campus security, and foster a safer learning environment.
Beyond academic pressures,
first-year students often navigate an array of security threats. Reports of
students being misled by false prophets, lured into financial scams, or
targeted in sexual offences are alarmingly common. The lack of visible law
enforcement in certain areas surrounding the campus has only heightened
concerns. The engagement session addressed these pressing issues head-on,
offering practical solutions and launching key safety initiatives to ensure
students are not left vulnerable.
In response to these
challenges, the Department of Community Safety outlined a comprehensive,
multi-pronged strategy to enhance student security. These measures include: 
Policy Review and
Enhancement: continuously monitoring and evaluating existing safety
policies to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with the evolving needs of
students and institutions.
Student Cadet Program:
building a dedicated pool of student cadets who will be trained to assist in
crime prevention efforts on campuses.
Stakeholder Partnerships:
collaboration with universities, student organizations, community leaders, and
law enforcement agencies to foster a coordinated approach to safety.
Student Mobilisation:
encourage and facilitate student participation in existing community safety
structures, such as Community Policing Forums (CPFs), to empower them to play
an active role in crime prevention.
University Support: provide
comprehensive support to universities, to help them develop and implement their
own tailored crime prevention programs 
Increased Police Visibility:
enhance police presence around campuses to deter crime and provide a greater
sense of security for students.
e-Panic Button App: The roll
out of the e-panic button, enabling students to quickly report emergencies and
receive immediate assistance from law enforcement.
Improved Reporting
Mechanisms: continuously improving reporting systems, particularly for sexual
offenses, to ensure that students feel safe and supported when reporting
incidents.
Enhanced Law Enforcement
Deployment: Increased deployment of Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) and Gauteng
Traffic Wardens (GTWs), working in collaboration with other law enforcement
agencies, to deter crime and ensure a visible security presence 
CCTV Surveillance: Strategic
installation of CCTV cameras in high-risk areas to provide 24-hour surveillance
and enhance monitoring capabilities
Community Engagement: Active
encouragement of students to report suspicious activity and collaborate with
law enforcement to foster a sense of shared responsibility for safety.
Student Ambassador Program:
Development of a program to recruit and train student ambassadors who will play
a proactive role in crime prevention and safety awareness campaigns
Warrant Officer Smith from the South
African Police Service (SAPS) in Vanderbijlpark emphasised the importance of
personal safety and crime prevention during the engagement. He highlighted that
the area surrounding the campus experiences a higher crime rate compared to
other areas, contributing significantly to the overall crime statistics. Common
crimes in the vicinity include housebreaking and armed robberies. Warrant
Officer Smith noted that many young female students walk alone at night, making
them particularly susceptible to criminal activities.
To mitigate these risks, he provided
several safety recommendations, “students should avoid walking alone at night
and instead move in groups to enhance safety. Always let someone know your
destination and expected arrival time. Stick to well-lit areas to reduce the
likelihood of encountering potential threats. Avoid using cell phones while
walking and keep expensive items out of sight to minimise attracting attention.
Be vigilant of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you reside far
from campus, consider moving to a safer, closer location. Keep emergency
numbers readily accessible on your phone, said Warrant Officer Smith.
Millennium Lekoana, a 25-year-old female
first-year student, expressed a strong sense of safety on campus, attributing
this feeling to the presence of security personnel. Similarly, Lesedi Tlhapi, a
20-year-old male student, noted the positive aspects of the campus environment,
including good security both on and off-campus. However, he suggested that
security checkpoints should focus more on searching students inside the campus
rather than them queuing outside, as this puts students in danger.
The engagement was a significant step in
addressing student safety concerns and laying the foundation for a safer
university experience at VUT. Safety is a collective responsibility, the
Department of Community Safety is committed to ensuring a safer environment for
all students, especially first years who are particularly vulnerable during
their transition to university life.