Concern mounts over militarisation of Mangaung Traffic Department

AfriForum has written to the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety and Transport in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Cllr Sibongile Tsoleli, raising serious concerns over the newly announced partnership between the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Mangaung Traffic Department.

The partnership, which will see SANDF members provide “discipline and ceremonial training” to traffic officers, has been publicly praised by the MMC.

However, AfriForum argues that introducing military training into a civilian law enforcement environment could have unintended, yet serious consequences, including blurring the lines of authority, drifting away from necessary community-based policing and potentially risking public trust.

 “Traffic policing is a civilian function governed by constitutional principles, not a military theatre,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety. “AfriForum respects the SANDF and the role they play in national defence, but military tactics and culture are not suited to civilian law enforcement. Government should focus on building local capacity within constitutional parameters — not creating a militarised response to urban challenges.”

 In its letter, AfriForum requested formal clarification from the MMC regarding the nature and scope of the SANDF’s training; clarity on oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse or overreach; and reassurance that Mangaung’s law enforcement officers will remain strictly civilian in character and conduct.

 AfriForum emphasised that as a civil rights organisation, it is not merely critical towards government initiatives but simply committed to the safety and well-being of communities. The organisation’s neighbourhood watch and Community Safety Centre in Bloemfontein continues to demonstrate the value of community-driven safety initiatives.

These structures have contributed to numerous arrests, crime prevention operations, and coordinated assistance during emergencies — all in cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

 “AfriForum is more than willing to assist — as we already do — through our trained neighbourhood watch volunteers, radio networks, and incident response infrastructure,” says Broodryk.

 “Government should work with existing civil society safety structures instead of taking a heavy-handed approach that might alienate the very communities they aim to serve.”

 AfriForum calls on the Mangaung Metro and other municipalities to pursue collaborative partnerships with established private and community-based organisations, prioritising transparency, professionalism and public confidence in law enforcement.

Jacques Broodryk

Chief Spokesperson: Community Safety I  AfriForum