Gauteng’s R1.7b Investment in Crime-Fighting Tech: Surveillance and Drones

The Gauteng Department of e-Government in South Africa has revealed its strategy to procure advanced technology to fight crime in the province. Mzi Khumalo, the MEC for e-Government, Research, and Development, shared the details during a session of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature as reported by My Broad Band. With a budget of over R1.7 billion, the department will prioritise implementing “e-policing” to enhance law enforcement capabilities in the Gauteng Province.

Among the initiatives, the department aims to install CCTV cameras on major roads, business centres, and crime-prone areas. The focus will be on townships, informal settlements, and hostels, as affluent suburbs already benefit from existing private surveillance systems. Additionally, the department plans to acquire high-quality drones equipped with cameras to support law enforcement efforts and deter criminal activities.

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The department will adopt tracking technology for vehicles, firearms, and other crime-fighting resources to improve asset management and oversight. It has also proposed providing electronic panic buttons to residents for quick access to emergency services during distress situations. The plan includes establishing an Integrated Command Centre and linking the panic buttons to law enforcement agencies and CCTV systems.

While the e-panic button concept has received support, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has suggested utilising its CASI mobile app, which includes a panic button feature, as a more feasible option to reach a larger number of residents. The government has already published a tender for the panic buttons, with the AA among the applicants.

In addition to the crime-fighting initiatives, the e-Government department will allocate the remainder of its budget to various projects. These include developing a cashless payment engine for government departments, expanding Wi-Fi connectivity through the Gauteng Broadband Network, providing digitised services accessible to residents via computers or smartphones, and offering ICT skills training programs to youth, women, and individuals with disabilities in targeted areas, benefiting approximately 12,000 young people in 2023.

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Photo by Jürgen Jester