The Protection Services Unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is hosting its third annual Crime Awareness Week (CAW) 2025 under the theme: Safe DUT: A Community Commitment. This initiative is aimed at creating a safer and more secure university environment across all seven campuses in Durban and Midlands.
The CAW2025 commenced on Monday, 29 September 2025 with activations across the Durban campuses and residences to promote campus safety and security. Formal proceedings began on Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at the Mansfield Hall, Ritson campus in Durban. This event served as an excellent opportunity to foster collaboration between the DUT and law enforcement agencies like the South African Police Service, to work together to inform, educate and empower the DUT community and broader public about safety and security.
The Programme Director was Mr Zamani Mayeza, a Community Engagement Coordinator in the Faculty of Health Sciences at DUT. He highlighted that CAW2025 plans to raise awareness about crime prevention and safety measures within the DUT community.
In his opening remarks, the newly appointed Director of Protection Services Unit at DUT, Mr Charles Sehlogo said their role as Protection Services Unit (PSU) was to ensure that the students and staff’s ordinary day remained an ordinary day. He reminded the DUT community that security was a collective responsibility and everyone should take responsibility of their safety and belongings.
“As PSU, we are here to bring in the technology. We believe biometrics and CCTV are the future. Never delegate your safety, safety should reside within our conscience. The CAW2025 initiative is designed to empower students and staff, to elevate awareness, and to promote proactive safety practices through creative engagement. We hope after the engagements you will take something home and start changing the way you do things. Always remember you are part of the collective responsibility to make sure that we are all safe,” said Mr Sehlogo.
Mr. Andreas Mathios from Marshall Security spoke on neighbourhood watches. He encouraged the DUT staff and students to always speak up when they see something illegal or dangerous happening around them. He said that everyone deserved to live in a safety neighbourhood and it was the responsibility of all residents to ensure that this became a reality. He vowed his support to DUT’s initiative of creating a safe campus environment and shared that he was willing to assist the DUT community to establish a neighbourhood watch.
A Gender-Based Violence panel discussion titled: Breaking the Silence: Responding to GBV and Rape in our Communities was held. Professor Geoffrey Harris from the International Centre of Non-violence (ICON) at DUT led the discussion, focussing on male perpetrators of GBV. He spoke on his research based on attitudes and beliefs of young Zulu men towards women. His research discovered three things; women are inferior to men, women are responsible to meet the sexual needs of men because men cannot live without sex and lastly that a women’s no does not mean no, it requires negotiation.
Prof. Harris believes people’s behaviours come from their attitudes and beliefs and that if they change their attitudes and beliefs their behaviour will change. He urged the DUT men to lead by example and live by the DUT values, highlighting the importance of respecting women and treating them with the respect they deserve.
Sharing the same sentiments were DUT’s Dr Nonye Chukwuma and attorney, Ms. Alvina Moodley who urged the DUT community to help fight GBV, emphasising the importance of respecting one another in relationships. They dedicated their time to engage with students and shared advice on GBV matters.
Sergeant Khumalo and Sergeant Dlamini from Berea SAPS.
Sergeant Khumalo and Sergeant Dlamini from Berea SAPS delivered a presentation on GBV, unpacking GBV and how the police station can offer assistance to the victims. They cautioned the female students to not report false rape cases as they could be charged for that. They asked the women to always consider the consequences of false rape cases and how it might ruin the future of the alleged perpetrator who might end up with a criminal record. They shared that it takes about 10 years to clear a criminal record thus encouraging the students to be law abiding citizens.
The incoming Student Representative Council President, Mr Sihle Nkosi endorsed and supported the initiative. He commended the Protection Services unit for this great initiative, emphasising that students need to feel safe in all campuses and residences.
Representatives from Izikhova Security, currently contracted to DUT, Mr Sithole and Mr Khoza pledged their commitment to contributing to the university environment where every student could learn without any fear. They urged the students to always report suspicious activities to prevent the next person being a victim.
In closing, Mr Lehlohonolo Mokhohlouloane (PSU: SAFE-U Task Team member) thanked the distinguished guests for availing themselves to the event, appreciating them for dedicating their time to enlighten the DUT community on issues they face on a daily basis. He also cautioned the students to be mindful of their behaviours and to refrain from engaging in criminal activities. He also highlighted that it takes 10 years to clear a criminal record and that they might end up not being employable after graduating. He thanked the staff and students for their attendance and contributions in making the event a success.
This campaign is part one of the two-part initiative, part two is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2026.
Pictured: Director of Protection Services, Mr Charles Sehlogo addressing students at the Crime Awareness Week event.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Simangele Zuma
