Rising crime in Orange Farm, including daylight robberies and a recent stabbing of a 22-year-old vegetable seller, has residents living in fear. Murder rates are soaring, making the area increasingly dangerous.
In response, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for urgent intervention at the Orange Farm Police Station. During an 6 August oversight visit, DA PR Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba found the station under-resourced, with shortages of officers, vehicles, storage space and cramped offices.
The DA is demanding more police, a larger station, better visibility in hotspots like Poortjie and Kanana Park, and stronger collaboration with the Community Policing Forum (CPF).
Senior DA officials, including Cllr Solomon Maila, Michael Sun MPL and Darren Bergman MP, inspected the station and found a parked mobile truck that could help visibility, but there are not enough officers to operate it.
Orange Farm SAPS Communications Officer, Sgt Shaan Motsapi, confirmed the visit but noted that the DA delegates are yet to meet with the station commander.
The DA has written to the Gauteng Premier, Minister of Police and the Portfolio Committee on Police, tabling petitions and parliamentary questions to expand the police fleet, improve working conditions and better protect communities.
Recent stats show a 91.7% rise in murders, with 69 cases recorded between October and December 2024 the highest in Gauteng.
