While KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is often associated with high levels of violent crime, some towns in the province are making remarkable progress in improving safety. Amanzimtoti stands out as one such success story, where the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and residents have joined forces to protect their neighborhoods.
A Model of Collaboration
Amanzimtoti is now recognized as the second-safest area in the province, thanks to the efforts of the Amanzimtoti CPF, which includes eight sub-forums and five neighborhood watches. According to CPF members, the decline in crime is a result of strong partnerships between residents, private security companies, SAPS, and metro police.
“Crime is not that bad because of the effort put in by all our role players,” said a CPF representative. “Every single patroller and resident plays a part—we are the eyes and ears of the police.”
Challenges and Improvements
Despite past struggles with serious crimes—including gender-based violence (GBV), armed robbery, copper theft, and hijackings—the community has seen significant improvements. The CPF credits intervention efforts from churches, NGOs, and other social structures for helping address domestic disputes and assaults.
A local crime prevention organization emphasized the importance of a strong police-community relationship. “We have radios linked to all our partners, ensuring rapid response times—usually within two to three minutes,” a spokesperson said.
Overcoming Crisis
The July 2021 unrest and the devastating April 2022 floods tested the CPF’s resilience as crime surged. Limited police resources added pressure, but the community stepped up. “There are good officers, but they’re under-resourced,” a CPF member noted. “More personnel and vehicles would help, but we’ve managed by working together.”
Residents Applaud Efforts
Local residents praised the CPF and neighborhood watches for their vigilance. “I think it’s fantastic,” said one resident. “If anything gets stolen, I alert them immediately, and I know they’ll follow up.”
Key to Success: Community Involvement
The Police echoed the sentiment, stressing that police alone cannot combat crime effectively. “If police try to work alone, we will fail,” an officer said. “Criminals live in these communities, so strong police-community relations are essential for safety.”
The Amanzimtoti CPF’s advice to other communities is simple: “Less talk, more action.”
“Anyone can help—you don’t need to be a patroller. Just being observant makes a difference,” a CPF member said. “We have patrollers in their 70s who still contribute. If everyone does a little, it goes a long way.”
With continued collaboration, Amanzimtoti hopes to set an example for other towns striving to turn the tide against crime.
