Residents of Diepsloot, one of Gauteng’s most crime-ridden areas, say they are hopeful that measures announced by premier Panyaza Lesufi to fight crime will rid their township of thuggery.

An under-resourced police force and the dense population has often been blamed for the spiking cases of murder, rape, robbery and xenophobic killings including mob justice. Last year, the township in the north of Joburg became a focal point following numerous incidents of crime against foreign nationals. This saw police minister Bheki Cele dedicating more officers and vehicles on the ground...