Johannesburg: The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Community Safety committee has expressed serious concerns over rising crime rates in Honeydew, Gauteng, following a critical oversight visit to the local police station. This concern arises after the Honeydew police station was identified as the worst performing in Gauteng and the fourth worst nationally based on the 2026/27 first quarter crime statistics released last month.

According to South African Government News Agency, during their visit, the committee interacted with the station management, provincial Community Safety Department, local ward councillor, Community Policing Forum (CPF), community representatives, and residents. The committee noted alarming trends, with a reported 11% increase in murder, a 22% rise in sexual offences, and a 26% surge in assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm compared to the previous financial year. Community members voiced concerns about escalating gangsterism, particularly involving young people and school-going children, and the use of weapons like pangas, knives, and firearms in violent crimes.

The committee attributed the rise in crime partly to the availability and misuse of alcohol, with specific concerns about liquor establishments allegedly operating beyond permitted hours. They have called for a comprehensive approach to improve the station's performance, emphasizing that crime in Honeydew cannot be tackled by the police alone. A coordinated response involving various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, government departments, municipalities, schools, and community organizations, is deemed essential.

Concerns were also raised about the reliance on park homes as temporary replacements for proper police stations. The committee argued that these structures, intended as temporary solutions, have become permanent fixtures that hinder effective policing. They called on the Minister of Police and the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure to prioritize the construction of permanent police stations to support professional law enforcement.

In response to these issues, a community safety imbizo is planned to devise practical interventions to curb crime. The imbizo will involve the Gauteng Executive Authority responsible for Community Safety, SAPS management, local law enforcement, community structures, ward councillors, the CPF, and residents. The aim is to secure commitments, clarify responsibilities, and ensure interventions lead to measurable improvements in community safety. The committee also underscored the need for a multi-sectoral response to address youth involvement in gangsterism, focusing on crime prevention, youth development, school safety, substance abuse interventions, and addressing the social conditions contributing to criminal behavior.