Students safety is a priority to UJ and the police

AUCKLAND PARK – A crime awareness campaign at the University of Johannesburg aims to inform students about various departments and services on and off campus.

October 26, 2017

Naledi Mokoena 1 minute read

Brixton police's Emerencia Smith, Phakamani Madlala, Mpho Boshomane and Maria Mathaba inform students about the role of the police in their community.

The University of Johannesburg (UJ), along with its partners, hosted a crime prevention campaign, titled I ba Nolwazi, which means ‘having knowledge’.

The event which took place at the Bunting Road campus raised awareness about different services which are available to students on and off the campus. University of Johannesburg intervention officer Amanda Strydom said another aim of the campaign is to close the gap between the campus and the police.

“We wanted to bring them on campus in order to inform students [about the] services they offer in case they’re victims of crime,” said Strydom. The campaign took place on 20 October.

“We informed students that they don’t have to be scared of the police and also invited other departments on and off campus.

Students raise awareness about breast cancer.

These included campus health for students who need primary health care, protection services who [spoke about] crime awareness and prevention, LifeLine Johannesburg, Brixton police and the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA),” said Strydom.

Brixton police asked Strydom to do a campaign, in conjunction with the university’s event. The first event initially took place on 16 May at the Auckland Park campus and had a good turnout. She plans to host similar campaigns twice a year – also at the UJ Doornfontein and Soweto campuses.

UJ student development practitioner Nkosini Ngwenya said his department disciplines students when they contravene university regulations.

The department will intervene when students don’t abide by the rules, for instance in incidents involving cheating during assessments, drinking and fighting on campus.

Nkosini Ngwenya wants to inform students about campus regulations.

Students explored all the stalls offering different services. One of the students, Mpho Nkosi, said he is glad this campaign came to the campus because there are a number challenges young people face and students aren’t always aware who to ask for assistance.

“At times students aren’t aware of their rights and boundaries when it comes to the police or other organisations. I gained a lot of useful information and look forward to the next campaign,” said Nkosi.