Joburg Introduces CCTV By-Law to Strengthen Crime Prevention

The City of Johannesburg has approved a new by-law regulating the use of privately-owned closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in public spaces and private properties. The regulation mandates the registration of surveillance equipment, including drones, body cameras, and automatic number plate recognition systems, in an effort to enhance safety and combat crime.

Stronger Crime Prevention Measures

The municipality emphasized that the new by-law serves as a tool to deter crime and support law enforcement by facilitating the prosecution of offenders. It also aims to promote the responsible use of CCTV surveillance to safeguard both individuals and property.

The law applies to various types of camera-based surveillance systems, including:

• Automatic number plate recognition systems
• Body-worn cameras
• Drones or unmanned aerial surveillance
• Other devices that capture identifiable individuals or personal information

The city may also introduce tariffs or surcharges related to the by-law, which will be published in the provincial gazette once approved by municipal authorities.

According to the municipality, the regulation extends to both private and external CCTV cameras installed on council-owned land, infrastructure, and private properties that monitor public areas. These cameras will be integrated into the city’s broader surveillance network.

However, city departments are not required to follow the full application process. Instead, they must register the locations of their CCTV cameras with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) for documentation.

A database of all registered CCTV cameras that capture public spaces will be managed by the JMPD’s CCTV department.

Strict Data Protection and Legal Compliance

The by-law includes strict measures to protect CCTV footage and prevent unauthorized access.

• Confidentiality: All recorded footage is classified and can only be released to the South African Police Service (SAPS) or JMPD. Every transfer of footage must be documented and properly tracked.
• Legal access: Only authorized law enforcement agencies, including JMPD and SAPS, can access CCTV data. Requests must be made through the relevant legal frameworks.
• Limited usage: Data captured from public spaces or private properties with public-facing cameras will be strictly used for law enforcement purposes.

The municipality has assured residents that the by-law is designed to regulate, not restrict, CCTV installations in the city.

Failure to comply with the by-law could result in fines or imprisonment for up to two years. Individuals who continue to violate the law may face additional penalties, including three-month imprisonment or fines for each day the contravention persists.

Johannesburg Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu expressed confidence in the by-law’s role in improving safety.

“This regulation will enhance security while ensuring that constitutional rights of citizens are not trampled on,” Mthembu said, adding that responsible technology use is key to crime prevention in the city.

The move comes as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced that SAPS officers will begin using body cameras from April 1, with each device costing R29,000.

With crime an ongoing concern in Johannesburg, the new by-law is expected to strengthen law enforcement efforts while ensuring surveillance technology is used within legal and ethical boundaries.

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