Over 400 residents of Orange Farm, a township near Johannesburg, have taken crime prevention into their own hands by joining the Orange Farm Patrollers initiative. Working closely with the Community Police Forum (CPF), the patrollers conduct regular daytime patrols on donated bicycles and night patrols on foot, accompanied by a police escort. Their efforts have been praised by community members who value the added safety on the streets.
Since its establishment in the late 1980s, Orange Farm has struggled with a rising crime rate. Rapid growth and urbanisation have contributed to one of Gauteng’s highest violent‑crime rates. SAPS statistics show that the Orange Farm police station recorded the province’s third‑highest number of murders in the first quarter of 2025, along with 54 reported rapes—a sharp increase from the previous year. Limited police resources exacerbate the problem; a single police station serves thousands of households, making community involvement essential. “The police alone can’t fight crime here; they need the community,” says Andries Macheli, chairperson of the Orange Farm CPF.
The patrollers have made significant seizures, including an illegal firearm, knives, and drugs such as crystal meth and mandrax. Their work is supported by organisations like RADA (Rape Alcohol Drug Abuse), which supplies security gear, food parcels and skills workshops. Most patrollers are unemployed; they undergo training and screening before joining and receive opportunities to acquire new skills that can improve their employability.
High unemployment, the proliferation of illegal taverns and growing gang violence are identified as the main drivers of crime in the area. The success of the Orange Farm Patrollers has inspired other South African communities to adopt similar approaches. As the residents continue to collaborate with local organisations and the police, they provide a model for tackling crime in other areas facing comparable challenges, making a positive impact one patrol at a time.
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