IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALBERTON SAPS
Spiritual Crime Prevention
Crime is not only a police problem. It grows where families break down, where children are hurt, and where drugs fill the gap left by hopelessness. That is why the South African Police Service started a Spiritual Crime Prevention unit, bringing spiritual leaders alongside the police to help prevent crime at its roots.
Roelf Strydom and Laetitia De Kock of Anchored in Jesus serve in this unit with Alberton SAPS. Together with the police, local churches and partner organisations, we bring practical help, the Word of God and real hope into the communities around Alberton.
Where this comes from
Spiritual Crime Prevention is a community-based approach of the South African Police Service. It was introduced as part of the SAPS turnaround vision under former National Commissioner General Khehla Sitole, and brings the police and faith-based organisations together to deal with the social and moral roots of crime.
The approach rests on South Africa’s wider crime-prevention framework:
- Section 205 of the Constitution, which makes preventing crime part of the police’s core mandate.
- The National Crime Prevention Strategy (1996), especially Pillar 4, Public Values and Education, which aims to change behaviour and values in society.
- The National Development Plan, which calls on whole communities to work together for safe environments.
Five focus areas
Police and faith-based organisations work together in five areas:
- Strengthening families: rebuilding the home as the foundation that keeps young people out of crime.
- Crime prevention support desks: local desks in churches, mosques and temples.
- Youth development: mentoring young people away from gangs and drugs.
- Moral regeneration: restoring values, respect and good citizenship in our communities.
- Prison ministry and offender re-integration: walking with offenders so they do not return to crime.
What we do
Preventing social crime
We tackle the social issues that lead to crime: child abuse, gender-based violence and drug abuse. Through workshops, talks and family support we help parents, children and communities break harmful cycles.
Uplifting communities
We run sport events in poor communities, drug-prevention programmes in schools and community outreach days that give young people something positive to say yes to.
Helping victims of crime and abuse
When the police meet people who have been hurt, we help them take the next step, whether that means food, finding shelter or counselling.
Standing with our police
Police members carry a heavy load. We pray for them and with them and bring them the Word of God, so that those who protect our community are also encouraged and strengthened.
16 JULY 2026 · PHUMULA, RONDEBULT
Clothed in Love: 700 residents reached
The Alberton SAPS Spiritual Crime Prevention team hosted the Clothed in Love outreach at Serving Faith Church in Rondebult. On the day, 700 Phumula residents received food, clothing, social support and spiritual encouragement. Two days before, a community soccer day helped us get to know the residents.
700
residents helped
10,000
clothing items handed out
100+
volunteers
Volunteers also served 500 hot dogs and oranges, handed out Bibles and drug-awareness pamphlets, and shared the Gospel with the community. We plan to make Clothed in Love an annual event.
Thank you to our partners: Alberton Lions Club, Life on the Streets (LOTS), Fish and Bread Ministries, The Gideons International, CPF, SAPS Youth Desk, Amcare, Gauteng Traffic Police and Salvation Foundation.
More of what we have been doing
31 July 2026 · Bright Future Kids Day Care Centre, Railway Station
Parents Workshop: Building Strong Families
Together with Life on the Streets, we equipped parents to raise their children with love and clear boundaries. Topics included understanding gender-based violence, what discipline is really about, and the difference between discipline, punishment and abuse.
29 August 2026 · Next to Alberton Police Station
Community Prayer Meeting
The community gathered to pray for our children, for freedom from drugs, for families, for peace in our community and for the safety and strength of our police.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Need help?
If you or someone you know is a victim of crime or abuse, you do not have to face it alone. In an emergency, call the police first.
- SAPS emergency: 10111
- GBV Command Centre (24 hours, free): 0800 428 428, or send a Please Call Me to *120*7867#
- Childline (24 hours, free): 116
For food, shelter, counselling or prayer, contact us and we will walk with you:
Roelf Strydom – 082 563 1456
Laetitia De Kock – 082 046 9752
Stand with us
Churches, businesses and individuals can join this work by volunteering at outreaches, donating food and clothing, or simply praying for our community and our police.