he Braamfontein student precinct will be a much safer place henceforth thanks to the City’s rejuvenated Crime Prevention Plan, which promises tougher action against the scourge.

Launched on the Nelson Mandela Bridge on Monday, 15 February, the crime-fighting strategy is part of the municipality’s extensive Ward Based Policing programme, seeking to tackle all forms of crime across all communities of Johannesburg.

It was unveiled by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Geoff Makhubo, alongside the MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Mally Mokoena, the MMC for Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, and the Speaker of Council, Cllr Nonceba Molwele. They were joined by senior municipal managers, senior members of the JMPD, Wits University SRC representatives and the Inner Jozi Safety forum.

Mayor Makhubo says as part of the crime prevention strategy, the JMPD will be responsible to promote awareness and enforcement of by-laws across the Braamfontein precinct. The JMPD will also undertake other policing functions, including traffic policing, enforcement of municipal regulations and the prevention of crime.

The strategy is a partnership between Wits University and the City. It paves way for the municipality to fulfil one of its key strategic priorities of creating liveable, safer public spaces by 2040, a commitment made in the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS).

The City’s GDS provides for the JMPD to deal with crime, violence and safety and security issues effectively through visible, preventative policing and patrolling of high-risk areas, using CCTVs in public places, street lighting in high-risk areas, and building partnerships with private security businesses and community policing forums in high crime areas.

The Mayor says the City’s newly launched crime prevention plan will be taken to all hotspots across the municipality.

“Visible policing is an important crime prevention strategy. All residents must be able to work in a clean and safe environment,” he says.

The latest Crime Prevention Plan is the key programme on safety and security for the City and will be the basis from which the JMPD and other crime-fighting agencies within the City operate.

The Mayor encourages the JMPD to clamp down on the scourge of violent crime, which has a devastating effect on the City.

“It is vital for Braamfontein and surrounding communities to have trust in our JMPD officers to keep them safe,” says Cllr Makhubo.

The Wits SRC says all students in the Braamfontein precinct are genuinely affected by crime. It was proud to see local government ensuring this matter is actively tackled.

Cllr Makhubo says it was apt to launch the strategy on the Nelson Mandela Bridge, because it provides more than just a link between the Joburg CBD and Braamfontein, hence the safety of its users is paramount.

“It links the hopes and dreams of many workers, young people and students, especially those who come from historically disadvantaged backgrounds,” he says.