In light of recent events that have cast a shadow across the Stellenbosch community, a petition has been circulated calling on the municipality, local law enforcement, Mayor Gesie van Deventer, and the institution to prioritise student safety beyond campus boundaries.
‘Every student deserves to feel secure in the community they call home, especially when they are here to study and grow. I urge everyone including students, residents, and the university, to come together and address this issue,’ James Daly, the student responsible for orchestrating the petition told Cape {town} Etc.
Also read: Four suspects arrested for murder of Stellenbosch University student
Daly launched the petition following the murder of Stellenbosch University student Jesse Mitchell in an area in which many students reside.
Daly told Cape {town} Etc that when he heard about Mitchell’s murder, he felt a deep sense of sadness.
He explained that while previous crimes in the area had left victims with emotional trauma or physical injuries, the loss of a life made this tragedy even more devastating.
This spurred him to draft a petition on behalf of residents in neighbourhoods and apartment buildings such as The Niche, EDGE, Plumbago, Boschenpark, Dennebosch and Melrose Square, where crime has been on the rise.
He added that the overwhelmingly positive response to the petition underscored that safety in Stellenbosch is a widespread concern, not just for those living in the affected areas.
The petition calls for:
- Increased visible police patrols in key areas and other walkways used by students.
- Improved street lighting on all streets and pathways frequently used by students, to deter criminal activity.
- Collaboration between local law enforcement, Stellenbosch University, and private security to ensure a coordinated approach to safety.
‘We urge you to prioritize the safety of our students and residents. Implementing these measures can make a significant difference, fostering a sense of security that has been missing for far too long,’ pleads Daly.
He concluded by emphasising that safety should be a basic right for everyone in Stellenbosch, not a privilege.
Real progress, he told Cape {town} Etc, will only come about through collaboration between the local authorities, community leaders and the university.
Since 21 October 2024, the petition has garnered 17 735 signatures, while the goal is to reach a total of 25 000 signatures.
View the petition.
Also read:
Body of Stellenbosch University student recovered from Welgevallen Dam
Picture: Google Maps Street View
