Gauteng Provincial Government is serious about tackling nefarious and immoral acts bedevilling the province. This was evident when they recently rolled out installation of an avalanche of CCTV cameras in various locations in the province.
The Cameras are part of various crime fighting methods that have been introduced to fight crime.
The CCTV’s have been welcomed by many residents in the province who have mentioned that the cameras will assist in identifying perpetrators but most importantly will offer communities much needed protection as it will be safe for them to move around areas where cameras are located.
CCTV cameras have been installed in these areas: Diepsloot, Tembisa, Kagiso, TSAKANE, Khutsong, Ratanda, Sharpville, Sebokeng, Boipatong, Mohlakeng, Krugersdorp, Mamelodi East and Atteridgeville. This also include installation of CCTVs in the 6 hostels that are owned by the Provincial Government namely George Goch, Jeppe Hostel, Denver Hostel, MBA Hostel, Murray and Roberts Hostel, and Rethabile LTE Hostel.
In 2023, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated in the State of the Province Address that the Gauteng Provincial Government aims to tighten its efforts in the fight against crime. As a result, the Gauteng Department of e-Government Research and Development and Community Safety have been mandated to use technology to deal with crime in the province. The installation of CCTV cameras forms part of these efforts to supplement and enhance the capabilities of law enforcement.
Tebogo Moseamedi from Boipatong was very pleased to have these cameras installed in the area. “The first time I saw these cameras here in Boipatong, I was very happy to see that my community is getting more improved in terms of technological infrastructure. Our government is going all out in protecting our community from criminal activities, especially those that occur in the evening. These are the things that we see in suburban areas and now it feels very good that we have them here in our townships”, said Moseamedi.
Nyakallo Makhanya a resident of Sebokeng was also on cloud nine with the progress however expressed that government must also focus on reinforcing the Community Policing Forum (CPF) in the area.
“It is good that the government has installed these cameras. We all know how big Sebokeng is, and the real fact is that these cameras will not be installed all over Sebokeng. My advice to the government is that they come and reinforce our Community Policing Forum as well. That together with these cameras will come in very handy in reducing the criminal activities that take place in our communities,”said Makhanya.
The CCTV cameras will monitor crime on a 24-hour basis, on major roads, business centres, as well as townships plagued with high criminal activities. The cameras are monitored by law enforcement operatives at an identified location.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, e-Government Research and Development Mzi Khumalo indicated that the CCTV cameras are installed in identified crime hotspots in all the Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH).
“As the six administration we have set ourselves a target of ridding this province of crime so our residents can live in peace. It is a concern that there is an increase in crime statistics in every quarter. The Gauteng Provincial Government has implemented various crime combating mechanisms which include panic buttons, wardens and CCTV’s. We will also bring in drones, and guns tracking technology in the near future, “said Khumalo.
Head of Department, Cyril Baloyi has indicated that the department will continue with the installation of these CCTV Cameras in all other identified areas in the province to ensure that communities were safe.
“We are glad that as a department we have been entrusted by the Gauteng executive to deliver on such an important project. We all know that crime is escalating daily and something needs to be done. The CCTV’s will go a long way in assisting law enforcement operatives to tackle criminals. For a long time, crime took place and it was not captured and this makes it difficult for police to convict them. The cameras will provide the necessary evidence to get criminals behind bars”, added HOD Baloyi.
THIS ARTICLED IS A PAID ADVERTORIAL.
