Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety

21/08/2026

Fighting Crime Together in Sada and Surrounding Communities

The Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety, through the Chris Hani District Office, today held a Policing Accountability Engagement at Sada Community Hall in Whittlesea, Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality.

The engagement brought together the Department of Correctional Services, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Transport, Whittlesea Business Association, SAPS, Ward Councillors, Traditional Leaders and community members from Bhede, Ndlambe, Sada, Hewu and Dongwe.

Key concerns raised included slow police response times, lack of police visibility, inactive Community Policing Forums, youth loitering at spaza shops, and the shortage of police vehicles. Sada was identified as a hotspot for contact crimes such as assault GBH and house robberies, as well as property-related crimes.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to oversight in 29 stations across Chris Hani and called on community structures to work together, share information and avoid working in silos. “United we stand and divided we fall.”

Community safety is everybody’s responsibility. Through stronger partnerships, active participation and decisive action, we can build safer and more resilient communities.

19/08/2026

19/08/2026

JUSTICE, CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY CLUSTER CONDUCTS DONATION DRIVE AT AV PLATJIE

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster is currently conducting a donation drive for learners at AV Platjie outside Mthatha.

The initiative aims to support learners by providing much-needed educational resources and demonstrating the Cluster’s commitment to contributing to the wellbeing and development of young people in local communities.

The donation drive also seeks to encourage learners to remain focused on their education and to promote positive relationships between government institutions, schools and communities.

The Cluster continues to support initiatives that contribute to safer, empowered and resilient communities.

18/08/2026

Police Accountability Engagement Strengthens Community–Police Partnership in Cofimvaba

18 August 2026

The Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety, through its Chris Hani District office, conducted a Police Accountability Engagement at Cofimvaba Memorial Hall in Ward 14, Vuyisile Mini Local Municipality, formerly known as Intsika Yethu Local Municipality, within the Chris Hani District Municipality.

The engagement brought together community members, SAPS, community crime prevention structures and other stakeholders to discuss crime trends, policing challenges and ways of strengthening collaboration between the police and community safety structures.

Community members used the engagement to raise several concerns, including vigilantism against foreign nationals, both documented and undocumented; taverns operating beyond permitted hours and failing to comply with by-laws; extortion; alleged police officers taking bribes; and concerns that some complainants' identities are allegedly disclosed to suspects after reporting crimes.

The community was encouraged to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to use appropriate channels to report criminal activities and alleged misconduct. Residents were also encouraged to work together in reporting crime and to promote compliance with liquor outlet by-laws.

Musa Ukuthula Kusonakala.

18/08/2026

Tackling Substance Abuse to Build Safer Communities

The Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety, through the Joe Gqabi District Office, today, 18 August 2026, successfully hosted a Policing Accountability Engagement Programme at Bethania Junior Secondary School in Zanoxolo Village, Mount Fletcher.

Held under the theme “Musa Ukuthula Kusonakala”, the engagement brought together the Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety, Department of Social Development, Peace Committee, SAPS, Community Police Forum (CPF), a Ward Councillor for Elundini Local Municipality, the Chief of Bethania Community, and community members.

A key concern raised during the engagement was the devastating impact of substance and liquor abuse, which were identified as contributing factors to r**e, assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) in the area.

The presence of traditional and elected community leadership underscored the importance of collaborative leadership and community participation in confronting crime and its underlying causes.

The engagement provided a vital platform for government, law enforcement agencies, community structures, traditional leadership and residents to engage openly, strengthen accountability and identify practical interventions to prevent crime.

Community safety is everybody’s responsibility. Through stronger partnerships, active community participation and decisive action against substance abuse and other drivers of crime, we can work together to build safer and more resilient communities.

Musa Ukuthula Kusonakala!

11/08/2026

EMPOWERED WOMEN, EMPOWER NATIONS: PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S DAY 2026

On 09 August 2026, the Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety joined stakeholders, communities and women from across the province in commemorating Provincial Women’s Day 2026 under the theme: “Empowered Women, Empower Nations.”

The commemoration, held at Ernest Swanepoel Hall in Despatch, brought the spirit of Imbokodo to the fore, celebrating the strength, courage and resilience of women who continue to make a meaningful contribution towards building safer, stronger and more cohesive communities.

As the province celebrates the strength and resilience of women, the Department of Community Safety acknowledges the important role women play at the forefront of efforts to prevent crime, protect vulnerable communities and create safer spaces for all.

A key highlight of the Department’s participation was the presence of 30 Community Safety Ambassadors, who attended the Women’s Day commemoration.

The Community Safety Ambassadors are beneficiaries of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and form part of an initiative of the Department of Community Safety, led by MEC Xolile Nqatha, aimed at strengthening the relationship between government and communities.

The ambassadors play an important role in promoting community safety, building trust between communities and government, supporting crime prevention initiatives and encouraging active community participation in creating safer communities.

The Department also provided a complaints desk at its exhibition tent to assist members of the public with service delivery complaints, including matters relating to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Members of the public were encouraged to approach the Department’s officials at the complaints desk to raise concerns and bring matters requiring attention to the Department.

The Department of Community Safety continues to recognise the important role played by women in promoting community safety, crime prevention, social cohesion and resilient communities. Women remain central to building safer communities through active participation, leadership, advocacy and partnerships with government and other stakeholders.

28/07/2026

The Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety, through the Joe Gqabi District, successfully hosted a well-attended Policing Accountability Engagement Programme on 28 July 2026 at the Indoor Sports Centre in Stensburg.

The programme brought together key stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development, the Department of Correctional Services, and community members, reaffirming government's commitment to strengthening partnerships in the fight against crime and improving policing accountability.

The engagement created an important platform for residents to raise their safety concerns, engage directly with government departments and law enforcement agencies, and contribute towards practical solutions aimed at creating safer and more secure communities.
Together, we can make a difference. Community participation remains the cornerstone of effective crime prevention and the promotion of a safer Eastern Cape.

24/07/2026

The Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety through its Joe Gqabi district will host a Policing Accountability Engagement Session on Monday, 27 July 2026, in Steynsburg.