JOHANNESBURG - Universities across the country have reopened.
But as campuses fill up, safety concerns are again in focus.
Security experts warn that the start of the academic year often coincides with an increase in crime targeting students.
Theft and robbery remain common, particularly involving laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices.
Students can also be vulnerable to more serious crimes, including sexual assault and kidnapping.
Charnel Hattingh from Fidelity Services Group says students are frequently targeted because they carry valuable gadgets and are often unfamiliar with their surroundings, especially in the first few weeks of term.
Recent incidents at institutions such as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology have highlighted accommodation shortages and safety challenges, with some students reportedly sleeping outside campus earlier this year.
Students are advised to take basic precautions, both on and off campus:
• Lock residence doors at all times, even when inside.
• Ensure access-controlled doors are not left propped open.
• Report suspicious individuals in residences or lecture halls.
• Do not open doors for strangers.
• Report lost keys immediately and request lock changes.
• Avoid keeping house and car keys together.
• Store valuables securely.