THE Gauteng Provincial Government fighting crime initiatives have received a much-needed boost through a partnership with Vuma Cam which will allow the province to have access to an additional 6000 CCTV cameras that will be keeping an eye on our streets.
CCTV cameras are part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s strategy to utilize technology in the fight against crime. The CCTV cameras are being placed in townships, business districts, areas with high crime spots, roads, schools, and other public places.
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lusufi said at the launch event held yesterday that this was a big milestone for the campaign and these cameras will go a long way in realizing a crime-free Gauteng.
“I am excited that this partnership finally took place. It has been a long time coming. I am tired of crime. We cannot be held hostage by criminals, we cannot be scared and be scared even in our shadows because of criminals. Crime is a big problem and it is even halting investment interests in our province. We are signing this agreement to protect our people,” Lusufi said.
The campaign to fight crime using technology is an intergovernmental collaboration between the Department of e-Government, Community Safety and the South African Police Services (SAPS). It is meant to boost all other available crime-fighting initiatives, through providing CCTV cameras, high-quality drones for surveillance, issuing of panic buttons to improve access to help from law-enforcement officers and during distress and installation of tracking devises on cars.
MEC for COGTA and e-Government, Mzi Khumalo said government collaboration with the policing, security, and technology sectors resulted in this agreement coming into realisation.
“Today’s occasion also marks the coming to fruition of a partnership with Vuma Cam to building safer communities. This partnership strengthens the collaboration between the private and public sector, using technology to fight crime and build safer communities. The signing of these agreement is a demonstration of commitment as corporate citizenship by Vuma Cam,” Khumalo said.
Vuma Cam have committed to extending camera coverage to underserved areas, particularly within the TISH (Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels) areas.
Vuma Cam CEO Ricky Croock said through the agreement, Vuma Cam is also offering an additional 5000 partner cameras across South Africa, which would ensure any known vehicle involved in a criminal activity in another province would trigger an immediate alert if seen by the cameras within Gauteng.
“We believe that the alerts from our extensive network delivered through our world-class software platform, and verified by expertly trained operators will result in a new normal in the fight against crime in South Africa’s economic heartland. The launch of our partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government builds on the success of Vuma Cam’s partnerships with public entities as we deploy our advanced technology to make the people of Gauteng safer,” Croock said.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Services in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni said that this programme was a step closer to the realisation of e-policing and it was important to also look after this infrastructure.
“We are collaborating with the Department of Community Safety on several initiatives which one of which includes the involvement of our communities. They will also be critical in this campaign as they will ensure that these cameras are safe, Mthombeni said.”
In continuing with its mission of combatting crime using technology, Gauteng Provincial Government will be launching 6000 additional CCTV Cameras.
Image supplied (GP Premier Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Safety- Faith Mazibuko, Vuma Cam CEO Ricky Croock, MEC for COGTA and e-Government, Mzi Khumalo and Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Services in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni, at the partnership launch on Tuesday).
