Lerato Mailoane
The Gauteng Provincial Government has taken significant strides in enhancing security measures across the province by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Vumacam.
Inked in Milpark on Tuesday, the memorandum underscores a proactive approach to combating crime in townships, informal settlements, business districts, and suburbs.
This agreement grants the Gauteng police force access to nearly 7000 new CCTV cameras strategically positioned to monitor 30 crime hotspots throughout Gauteng.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi, alongside Vumacam CEO Ricky Croock, formalised the agreement, with notable figures such as MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mzi Khumalo, MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, and Acting Police Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni in attendance.
“Today we officially switched on 6 945 new facial recognition CCTVs to protect the citizens of Gauteng against crime. Less talk, more work,” said Premier Lesufi.
This initiative forms part of the province’s comprehensive e-policing solutions, incorporating CCTVs, drones, helicopters, e-panic buttons, and high patrol vehicles to ensure swift responses to criminal incidents.
Premier Lesufi reiterated his unwavering commitment to rid Gauteng of crime.
“If I can fail to fight crime in our province, I’ll hand over my resignation tomorrow. I am gatvol with crime; we can’t be held hostage in our own country or province by criminals. We can’t be scared of even our shadows because these criminals can pounce at any time.
“We can’t be at the mercy of pretending to have lost the battle against crime. If you have given up, don’t count on me. I am still standing to fight these criminals until the criminals leave this province.”
Furthermore, the premier announced plans to bolster the ranks of Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs), augmenting the existing 6000 personnel and revealing the formation of a tactical team.
“We are adding a tactical team. We will have a tactical team that will concentrate on taxi violence, kidnapping, land invasion and fight against the hijacking of government construction projects in the province.”
Effective 1 April, Lesufi said the province will initiate a comprehensive overhaul of vehicle registration protocols, requiring all car owners in Gauteng to re-register and obtain new, tamper-proof registration numbers.
For his part, Croock expressed his enthusiasm for the government’s proactive measures, particularly the deployment of CPWs. He emphasised the importance of synchronised efforts between surveillance systems and ground personnel.
“You have done the hard part; you have put people on the ground, and we are now telling the people to go to a place as quickly as possible so we can save lives and make the community safer,” added Crook.
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE
