Latest news with #BusinessAgainstCrimeSouthAfrica
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Premier Winde announces intensified efforts against extortion in Western Cape
Premier Alan Winde outlines the Western Cape's intensified efforts to tackle extortion through cross-sector collaboration. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers. The Western Cape government is intensifying its battle against extortion by implementing a comprehensive, collaborative strategy that brings together law enforcement, the private sector, and local communities. Premier Alan Winde has described this issue as a 'cancer' that threatens both economic growth and public safety in the province. Speaking at his weekly digital press conference (digicon) on safety, Premier Winde was joined by Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) Western Cape Chairperson, Hubert Paulse, to showcase the province's increased multi-sectoral efforts to confront the growing scourge of extortion. 'This was about the whole of government and society coming together to coordinate ourselves better to confront this 'cancer' called extortion and to discuss how we are going to rid ourselves of this horrendous crime that impacts so many of our residents and businesses,' said Winde. 'It strangles economic growth and job creation. Daily, it threatens residents' safety and their livelihoods, robbing them of opportunities and their dignity.' Winde stressed that the only way to dismantle these extortion networks, often referred to as 'extortion mafias', is through collaboration across all levels of society. 'The only way we will eradicate 'extortion mafias' is if we all work together,' he said. Extortion emerged as a key focus at this week's Western Cape Government Multi-Sectoral Anti-Extortion Summit, which convened provincial ministers, SAPS representatives, the City of Cape Town, and academics to coordinate strategies aimed at combating the extortion crisis affecting local communities and businesses. BACSA, a non-profit public-private partnership established in 1996, has played a leading role in building safety partnerships across the country. Paulse highlighted how the organisation's initiatives are being used to fight extortion and other crimes, stating:` 'Our message is simple but powerful. We foster collaboration with all stakeholders to fight crime. When we work together, we do not just reduce crime, we restore hope. And with hope comes confidence. Businesses become more willing to invest, and that investment leads to the creation of more jobs.' Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading One of BACSA's key crime-fighting tools is its Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), a technology-driven platform that links private security companies and other vetted partners with SAPS command centres. According to Paulse, this network uses surveillance tech such as drones and licence plate recognition to bolster real-time law enforcement responses. 'The private security industry outnumbers the police service 4:1. We are using that geographical footprint to increase the operational response and awareness of the SAPS,' said Paulse. He added that the Western Cape is 'the first province that has E2 controllers in all 6 policing districts.' Premier Winde reinforced the need to outpace criminals by embracing innovation. 'Criminals are using technology. We have to be one better than them.' Beyond tech solutions, Winde reiterated the importance of community involvement through neighbourhood watches and community policing forums. 'There is no doubt that residents who form or join NHWs know more about what is going on in their areas than anyone else, and they form essential partnerships with SAPS and municipal law enforcement,' he said. Paulse echoed this view, saying, 'We call it 'community-oriented policing'. That is what we are promoting.' Ahead of the digicon, Winde also chaired a meeting of the Western Cape Provincial Safety Council, where he welcomed a recent proposal by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to give metro law enforcement agencies more authority. 'This is a positive step forward, we must all be obsessed and driven by the same thing: to build a safer, prosperous province and country,' the Premier said. The council also received updates on the Safer City Collaboration Cooperation Agreement signed in August 2024, which is focused on strengthening intelligence-sharing and operational coordination between SAPS, provincial departments, and the City of Cape Town. Condemning recent taxi-related violence, Winde praised the swift and coordinated response. 'It is intolerable that disputes are 'negotiated' through the barrel of a gun. I want to commend all the role players, from provincial traffic and city law enforcement to SAPS and our officials, for the speed and coordination with which they responded to the violence and threats. You truly showed how powerful we can be when we work together.' IOL News
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- The Citizen
These are Gauteng's hotspots for murder, rape, kidnapping, carjacking and house robbery
Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents. Between January 2025 and March 2025, Gauteng recorded an increase in kidnappings, said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday. Through the National Anti–Kidnapping Unit, the province arrested 88 suspects linked to 62 cases of kidnapping and rescued 77 victims of kidnapping during the period under review. 'We are working together with our stakeholders to combat the kidnapping syndicates operating in this province. We are thankful to Business Against Crime South Africa for our partnership through the Eyes and Ears Initiative and are able to deploy their technological resources and utilise security officers as force multipliers when conducting take-down operations,' said Mthombeni. ALSO READ: Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes However, the Gauteng top cop acknowledged that more still needed to be done. 'We acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, and as we move forward, we will continue to foster collaboration with our stakeholders in ensuring that we improve the safety and security of our communities.' Multiple murders are also a challenge for the province, with 75 dockets having been opened for 191 victims. The province recorded two incidents where seven victims were murdered on the same crime scene, said Mthombeni. The crime statistics he presented showed a decrease in murder, with 1 439 cases recorded compared to 1 614 cases recorded during the same period last year. ALSO READ: 110 women murdered in KwaZulu-Natal since October – Mchunu Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and provocation remain the highest number of incidents, with 122 cases, followed by vigilantism and mob justice with 69 cases, and taxi-related murders with 45 cases. You're most likely to be murdered in a public place, where 706 cases were recorded — followed by private residences of either the victim or perpetrator, with 306 cases, and liquor outlets, where 50 murders occurred. Gauteng hotspots The crime statistics showed that there are no-go areas in Gauteng, where you're likely to experience murder, rape, carjacking, house robbery and kidnapping. The top 10 police stations for murder in Gauteng are Ivory Park (42 cases), Jeppe (38), Orange Farm (37), Lenasia (33), Hillbrow (32), Ennerdale (31), Eldorado Park (30), Kagiso (28), JHB Central (28), and Daveyton (26). The top 40 stations for rape include Roodepoort (60 cases), Orange Farm (54), Alexandra (45), Diepsloot (43), Ivory Park (38), Atteridgeville (36), Temba (34), Rietgat (34), Tembisa (34), Mamelodi East (34). ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving 'priority attention', says Gauteng police commissioner Here is where you're more likely to lose your car in Gauteng: Ivory Park (67 cases), Mamelodi East (65), Akasia (58), Jabulani (57), Moroka (51), Olievenhoutbosch (51), Sandringham -(45), Ennerdale (43), Vosloorus (42), Pretoria West (42). The top 10 police stations where cases of robbery at residential premises were recorded: Loate (64 cases), Mabopane (51), Tembisa (43), Roodepoort (43), Mamelodi East (39), Silverton (38), Moffatview (38), Mondeor (36), Putfontein (33), Lenasia (33), Ivory Park (33). These are the hotspots for kidnapping: JHB Central (63 cases), Vosloorus (63), Moroka (53), Ivory Park (51), Roodepoort (48), Jabulani (47), Midrand (47), Orange Farm (45), Tembisa (44), Sandringham (39). According to the crime statistics, Ivory Park appeared in the top 10 stations list for all the crimes mentioned, while Orange Farm is a hotspot for murder, rape and kidnapping. Roodepoort features in the top 10 police stations for rape, house robbery and kidnapping, while Tembisa featured for rape, house robbery and kidnapping. In Mamelodi East, rape, carjacking and house robbery were the most common crimes, while Jabulani, Moroka and Sandringham have a carjacking and kidnapping problem. READ NEXT: Justice department's poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- The Citizen
Does CCTV help fight crime in Johannesburg?
The Safer Spaces website states that the use of CCTV cameras for crime prevention in South Africa's major cities began in the mid 1990s, primarily driven by Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA). 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!
