AfriForum Youth questions increase in vehicle crime around Tuks campus
AfriForum Youth demands clarity from the University of Pretoria (UP) regarding incidents of vehicle crime around the Hatfield campus. This follows in response to the ongoing occurrence of, among other things, car theft and car burglaries around the campus.
According to a letter sent by AfriForum Youth to the UP on 30 June, many students report incidents of car theft and car burglaries to the Brooklyn police station, especially in areas where they park their vehicles to attend classes around the campus, get to residences or use public transport.
“This crime not only poses a threat to students’ safety but also affects their peace of mind. Students are anxious about their vehicles being stolen while attending class and at the same time there are students who cannot get to their classes because their vehicles have already been stolen. All these factors can affect students’ academic performance,” says Wikus van der Walt, AfriForum Youth’s officer for structures.
“Students should have access to safe parking areas when they attend class and should not be concerned about their safety or the safety of their vehicles.”
Further in the letter, AfriForum Youth demands clarity on the availability of safe, monitored parking areas for students; the visibility of security personnel and CCTV in high-risk areas on and around campus; and the UP’s collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the metro police and private security companies to deal with crime around the campus.
The organisation also offered to work with the university, student leadership and other relevant structures on practical solutions to ensure safety for all students.
“A safe learning environment is non-negotiable. Students deserve more than just academic support – they have the right to a safe environment, which protects their human dignity and property,” concludes Van der Walt.
Become a member of AfriForum Youth today: Visit https://sluit-aan.afriforumjeug.co.za/af.
