Does CCTV help fight crime in Johannesburg?
There was optimism about the significant crime reductions and increased arrests, facilitated by agreements for metro police to collaborate with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in responding to incidents detected by CCTV.
Over the years, city authorities have taken a more active role in introducing, managing, and upgrading CCTV systems for crime prevention. However, these efforts have often been unilateral, leading to varying levels of CCTV coverage and capabilities across South African cities.
Also read: JMPD launches Joburg CCTV Response Unit
CCTV cameras are integral to the Gauteng Provincial Government's strategy to combat crime, being installed in townships, business districts, high-crime areas, roads, schools, and other public spaces. Last year, in partnership with Vuma Cam, a project saw the enhancement of these initiatives, adding 6 000 additional cameras to monitor the streets.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lusufi hailed this partnership as a significant milestone, emphasising the need to combat crime, which he views as a barrier to investment in the province. He expressed his frustration with crime and the urgency of protecting residents.
The technology-driven crime-fighting campaign is a collaboration between the Department of e-Government, Community Safety, and the police, aimed at enhancing existing initiatives through CCTV, drones, panic buttons, and vehicle tracking devices.
Also read: Rosewalk Gardens' fire safety measure leak fixed by JW
MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and e-Government Mzi Khumalo noted that this partnership exemplifies the collaboration between the public and private sectors to build safer communities. Vuma Cam has committed to expanding camera coverage in underserved areas, especially in townships and informal settlements.
Vuma Cam CEO Ricky Croock stated that the agreement includes an additional 5 000 partner cameras across South Africa, which will trigger alerts for known criminal vehicles detected in Gauteng. He believes that their extensive network, and advanced software, will establish a new standard in the fight against crime.
Read more: Safe and affordable ways to travel in Johannesburg without a car
Acting provincial commissioner of police in Gauteng Major General Tommy Mthombeni remarked that this initiative brings them closer to e-policing, and stressed the importance of maintaining the infrastructure. He highlighted the involvement of communities as crucial to ensuring the safety of the cameras.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Activists demand repatriation of Edgar Lungu's body as court reserves judgment
(From left) Mthetho Ngcukayitobi, Lebogang Shovhote, and Bonang Sepoloane of Progressive Forces of South Africa sitting next to Mthunzi Luthuli from the Progressive Civics Congress, demanding that the body of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu be repatriated to his home country. Activists under the Progressive Forces of South Africa are calling for the repatriation of the late former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu's body, as the Pretoria High Court reserves judgment on the landmark case until later this week. This follows the death of former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu on June 5 at Mediclinic Medforum in Pretoria, which has since triggered a tense standoff between his family and the Zambian government. Authorities in Zambia are pushing for the repatriation of former President Edgar Lungu's remains for an official state funeral, a move firmly rejected by his family, who insist he be laid to rest in South Africa after failed negotiations. The dramatic court ruling was delivered just moments before a private burial was due to take place on 31 July. Lungu served as president from January 25, 2015, until August 24, 2021. Following his departure from office, he faced a series of legal challenges and political isolation. His family, including his wife, Esther Lungu, and their children, have been implicated in various corruption charges, including allegations of money laundering and proceeds of crime. Esther Lungu has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing cars. Lebogang Shovhote, Secretary General of the Progressive Forces of South Africa, voiced strong opposition to Edgar Lungu being laid to rest in South Africa. She pointed out that the country already struggles with ongoing land claim disputes, where burial sites are sometimes exploited to support land ownership claims. Shohote warned that permitting Lungu's burial in South Africa could set a troubling precedent, making the nation a refuge for those escaping legal consequences. 'The Lungu family has committed offences in Zambia and now wants to use South Africa as a place of refuge,' she said. Shovhote further alleged that Lungu entered South Africa using a passport under a different name, raising serious concerns about discrepancies in his documentation. 'Even hospital records don't reflect that Edgar Lungu was ever admitted to any South African facility,' she claimed. She added that burying Lungu in South Africa could set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging other African leaders accused of crimes in their home countries to view South Africa as a refuge to escape justice and avoid facing consequences for their actions. Shovhote emphasised that they are hopeful the court will order the Lungu family to repatriate his body to Zambia. The Pretoria High Court has reserved judgment, with Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba stating that a ruling will be delivered before the end of the week. The Star
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Jazzworx and GL Ceejay grateful to law enforcement after kidnapping ordeal
In a harrowing turn of events, South African artists Jazzworx and G.L. Ceejay were kidnapped during a home invasion Image: X Artists Jazzworx and GL_Ceejay have thanked law enforcement after they were kidnapped, and their studio equipment was stolen in a targeted attack. On Sunday, the hitmaker's real names (Jazzworx), Kamohelo Monese, and Gobokweone Lekganyane (G.L. Ceejay) were involved in a traumatic ordeal following a home invasion where they were robbed and kidnapped. 'We are grateful to inform you that we were safely found and rescued early morning yesterday. We are currently receiving medical attention and support as we begin the process of healing physically, emotionally and psychologically. 'This experience has been profoundly shocking, but it has also reinforced our faith in the kindness and resilience of our community.' Jazzworx and GL Ceejay are known for their hits such as 'Bengicela', 'Uzizwa Kanjan' and 'Tholukuthi'. They have requested privacy and understanding as they focus on their recovery and rebuilding their strength. In their statement, they went on to thank all those involved in their rescue and law enforcement authorities for their swift action and diligent efforts. 'We are committed to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. We managed to get a picture of one of the perpetrators we will circulate it.' Their collaborator, Thukuthela, posted on social media about the ordeal, sounding the alarm and revealing that the perpetrators wanted the studio computers. Fans and industry colleagues have showered the musicians with support and kind words, encouraging them to keep on with their music. A GoFundMe page has also been started by New York artist &Friends to help the rising stars rebuild their studio. 'I had the privilege of remixing Jazzworx's summer hit 'Isaka 6 am,' and we just finished a beautiful collaboration with Ceejay and Thukuthela. Their sound is fresh, raw, and undeniably powerful, and they were just getting started. 'Right now, the goal is simple: help them rebuild. Laptops. Studio monitors. Audio interface. Headphones. Back on their feet,' reads the description on the page. IOL Entertainment
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
SA government dismisses US State Department's report on farm attacks
The Presidency said the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) report on farm attacks lacks credibility. Image: Supplied / GCIS The Presidency said the US findings, that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes, lacks credibility and has accused the country of ignoring reliable information in order to sustain a disinformation campaign against South Africa. The US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) claimed that attacks on farms display a distinctly brutal pattern. The bureau said this was uncovered during its recent visit to the country as part of the President of the United States, Donald Trump's executive orders to learn more about the rural farm attacks and the breakdown of the rule of law. While AfriForum welcomed the findings, Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said there is no credibility that can be attached to the report. He said the bureau visited Cape Town only, and also ignored credible SAPS statistics in order to sustain a disinformation campaign against South Africa. 'There is nothing constructive or new out of their report. We are fully aware of all challenges relating to crime in our country, including crimes that are committed in rural and farming areas. We are also working on addressing all crimes that affect our citizens,' said Mangwenya. The bureau said local sources reported 296 farm attacks and 49 murders in 2023, adding that victims are disproportionately elderly, isolated and face delayed police response. It said the SAPS also reported that the number increased to 44 murders in 2024. 'These are not ordinary crimes. In some documented cases, reports detail victims tortured or killed without anything being stolen,' DRL said. 'Earlier this year, a man was beaten and hacked with a machete. In another incident, an elderly woman was assaulted and repeatedly stabbed. In both cases, no theft occurred. These attacks are not motivated by poverty alone.' The DRL added that in one of the notable incidents in 2023, assailants chanted 'kill the boer, kill the farmer' as they stabbed their victim, adding that these are not fringe slogans as some South African leaders chant the same words to cheering crowds. 'In one case, graffiti praising these leaders was painted on a farmhouse before its owners were brutally attacked. Despite this, as the President of the United States highlighted earlier this year, many South African leaders have failed to condemn this song,' the bureau said, adding that the international community and mainstream media decided to remain silent on this issue. In response to the report, AfriForum said it was convinced that this is the result of years of consistent advocacy and awareness-raising aimed at exposing the seriousness of farm attacks and murders to the local and international community. 'We are grateful that the United States has confirmed what we have been emphasising for years, namely that farm attacks are not ordinary crimes,' says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum's Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety. 'Farm attacks are brutal, targeted attacks that are often accompanied by torture, murder without anything being stolen and politically charged rhetoric such as 'Kill the Boer'. The ANC-led government's silence on this issue is shameful. When the government refuses to condemn hate speech and refuses to prioritise the protection of our farmers, they are complicit in this crisis,' Broodryk said. However, violence monitor Mary de Haas said the report was not objective, adding that crime affects everyone in South Africa. She said if there was objectivity in the report, the bureau would look at what is happening in rural black communities, where the murder rate is far higher. 'This is a very biased racist agenda to focus on white farmers when most of the victims of brutal crime and torture are black people in South Africa .They are trying to punish South Africa because of the world court case. (The case filed in 2024 against Israel at the International Court of Justice). The genocide is in Gaza, not in South Africa,'' she said. US President Donald Trump took aim at South Africa earlier this year after he took office for the second term, promoting claims that white farmers were targeted-he stopped all aid to South Africa, accusing it of discriminating against its white minority. The South African government and President Cyril Ramaphosa have labelled notions that there is a genocide against White South Africans as false and said while there was crime in South Africa, the majority of victims were Black. Trump also imposed a 30% tariff wall on South African exports, while other African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have been hit with 15%, which is expected to come into effect in days. Political analyst Sandile Swana said the US decided to focus on the interests of the white minority while the issue should be resolving the economic struggles of black people. He said the DRL's visit aims to turn South Africa into a colonial State of the US, adding that the report is biased, unscientific and prejudice to favour Trump and his Make America Great Again campaign. 'This must be seen as a racist measure by the US. The former South African Ambassador to the US Ibrahim Rasool was expelled for correctly identifying the white supremacy tendencies of Trump's presidency,' Swana said. Meanwhile, the government said 'some actors with South African society' have undermined efforts in resetting the relationship with the US. [email protected]
