Community members in Robert Sobukwe Town have called for stronger police visibility and improved policing as concerns over crime and service delivery continue to affect residents.
The concerns were raised during a Community Safety Imbizo held at the Alex Laing Community Hall on Wednesday. “The Department of Community Safety is overseeing the South African Police Services (SAPS)”, said Luthando Dastile, Community Safety liaison officer for Sarah Baartman District. Graaff-Reinet (now called Robert Sobukwe Town) happens to be one of the stations that has been chosen for policing and accountability engagement meetings like the community Imbizo.
This exercise of policing and accountability engagement also made sure to include sister departments so that they could be part of the session. “We found out that there are issues of service delivery that need attention, like other Departments, Health, Education, Home Affairs etc.”, said Dastile
The meeting brought together the SAPS station commander, Ward Committees, Community Organizations, the Department of Community Safety, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) Correctional Services and other government stakeholders.
Lt Colonel Sooi, station commander at Robert Sobukwe Town SAPS, provided an overview of a similar community engagement held in November 2025 at the Botanics sports club, where residents had raised a number of concerns about policing in the area.
According to Sooi, there had been a change in the area’s crime statistics since the previous engagement, but she questioned whether the improvement was sufficient.
“Is that change enough?” she asked, while emphasising that crime remains a challenge that requires cooperation between the police and the community.
She said the fight against crime could not be left to the police alone, stressing the importance of residents working together with law-enforcement agencies.
The crime overview presented at the imbizo included Robert Sobukwe Town and Nieu-Bethesda, which operates as a satellite station under Robert Sobukwe Town SAPS. Crimes reported in Nieu-Bethesda therefore form part of the statistics for Robert Sobukwe Town SAPS.
Sooi explained that contact crimes, including murder, rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, common assault and sexual assault, had decreased when comparing the current financial year from April to July with the previous financial year.
However, she warned that the level of contact crime remained too high, particularly incidents involving dangerous weapons.
Alcohol and drug abuse were identified as major contributing factors. The commander said many cases involved either the victim or perpetrator being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
She expressed concern that drinking was increasingly being followed by violent confrontations, with people injuring one another using dangerous weapons.
House break-ins and vehicle theft also featured among statistics. Residents were encouraged to support neighborhood-watch initiatives, particularly because homes are often targeted when occupants are away. Asherville High School was also identified as a target for break-ins.
The Department of Community Safety and Liaison has a role in civilian oversight of the police, strengthening partnerships between communities and police, coordinating social crime-prevention and road-safety initiatives.
This session is also being used to strengthen relation between SAPS as well as the communities. “We know the issue of trust deficit that is widening by the day between the community and the South African Police Services (SAPS). That is what we use to evaluate the level of satisfaction in relation to service, specifically to SAPS”, said Dastile.
Residents used the imbizo to raise complaints, questions and suggestions relating to service delivery, police visibility and the behaviour of police officials.
The meeting highlighted the continuing need for closer cooperation between residents, the CPF, SAPS and government stakeholders to address crime and improve community safety.
“The Department will take note of the issues raised and there will be a collective sitting to look at those issues that were raised by the community. A programme of action will be implemented to navigate challenges and also involve more role players.” Concluded Dastile.
