Challenges and Limits of Community Policing as a Crime Prevention Strategy: Police and Community Perspectives from Bizana, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Thompho Tshivhase ORCID ↗ · Oyama Sikibi
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy · 2026 · Vol. 8 / Issue 4 · 518-530
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Observed 21 Oct 2026, 00:14 UTC
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Abstract
Community policing was introduced in post-apartheid South Africa to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities. However, its crime prevention role is limited by persistent challenges. This study explores these limitations through the perceptions of police officers and community members in Bizana, Eastern Cape, using a qualitative design and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified key obstacles: limited police resources, rural–urban inequalities, weak community engagement, and inadequate training. While community policing contributes to social control, crime prevention, and safety, its impact is undermined by poor police–community cooperation and fear of victimisation, which deters reporting and hotspot identification. Structural factors, including poor roads and a shortage of police vehicles, fuel rising rural crime, especially stock theft and drug-related offences. Limited institutional support for Community Policing Forums and night patrols further reduces their sustainability and effectiveness. The study offers context-specific insights into the implementation of community policing in rural South Africa and underscores the need for better resource allocation, stronger partnerships, and context-responsive strategies. It also advances global development priorities, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by emphasising accountable, inclusive, and effective policing systems.
Keywords: {'name': 'Community policing'}, {'name': 'Crime prevention strategies'}, {'name': 'Rural policing'}, {'name': 'Police–community relations'}, {'name': 'Resource constraints'}, {'name': 'Community Policing Forums'}
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Thompho Tshivhase
University of Fort Hare
Oyama Sikibi
University of Fort Hare
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