Gauteng Province To Install 6,000 CCTV Camera In Fight Against Crime

South Africa's Gauteng province has received 6,000 CCTV cameras from Vuma Cam, a security system supplier in Johannesburg, in its fight against criminal activities.

Installation of CCTV cameras across the province is a strategy of the Gauteng Provincial Government to reduce crime as these cameras will be installed in various places, including townships, business districts, areas with high crime, roads, schools, and other public places.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lusufi expressed his excitement regarding the government's partnership with the security system supplier company and called it a huge milestone for the security campaign.

"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 of our own shadows because of criminals," Lusufi said, as reported by SA News on Wednesday.

"Crime is a big problem and it is even halting investment interests in our province. We are signing this agreement to protect our people," he added.

The campaign is about fighting crime using technology in collaboration between the Department of e-Government, Community Safety, and the South African Police Services (SAPS).

The collaboration is aimed at fighting crime by not just installing CCTV cameras but also using high-quality drones for surveillance, issuing panic buttons to connect with law enforcement officers during distress, and installing tracking devices on cars.

"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," Lusufi said.

Vuma Cam CEO Ricky Crook, on the other hand, said that the company is offering additional cameras to the South African government which will help to learn about a known vehicle that was involved in criminal activity in another province.

Crook said that the alerts from the 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," he added.

President Cyril Ramaphosa last week said that the South African government has strengthened the security measures to fight against crime by recruiting 20,000 police officers over the last two years in the South African Police Service (SAPS).