Living Behind Locked Gates: Orange Farm Residents Say Crime Has Taken Over Their Streets

Living With Fear Has Become Normal In Orange Farm

In Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, fear no longer arrives after dark. For many residents, it is a constant companion that begins the moment they step outside their homes.

Locals say violent crime has tightened its grip on the area, with robberies, gangsterism and murders becoming disturbingly routine. What was once a township built on resilience and close-knit community ties now feels, according to residents, like a place under siege.

People returning from work speak of calculating every step, scanning corners, and bracing themselves for the possibility of armed criminals waiting in the shadows.

“We Are Living Under Siege”

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described daily life as exhausting and traumatic.

She says criminals often wait at street corners, targeting people on their way home from work. Armed robberies are common, and the fear of retaliation has silenced many residents who might otherwise speak out.

According to her, the problem is not limited to one section of Orange Farm.

She says areas like Drieziek and multiple extensions are all affected, leaving the entire community feeling trapped and exposed.

Growing Anger Over Police Visibility

Alongside fear, frustration is boiling over. Residents accuse police of being largely absent during critical moments, claiming help often arrives too late or not at all.

Orange Farm has long struggled with crime linked to unemployment, overcrowding and limited resources. Community members say those challenges are now colliding with organised criminal activity, creating a situation that feels impossible to escape.

On social media, posts from residents echo similar sentiments. Many speak about relying on neighbours rather than authorities, while others question how many lives must be lost before meaningful intervention happens.

A Community Still Holding On

Despite the fear, Orange Farm is not without hope. Community leaders and residents continue to call for increased patrols, better lighting, and stronger partnerships between police and local organisations.

What people are asking for is simple: the freedom to walk home without fear, to live without constantly watching their backs, and to feel protected in their own neighbourhood.

For now, though, many Orange Farm residents say survival has become a daily strategy rather than a basic right.

{Source: SABC News}

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