Surveillance Camera Fail: SAPS are not maintaining CBD cameras

Issued by Harold Mgluwa, MPL
DA Northern Cape: Provincial Chairperson
Cell: 082 440 1779

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit parliamentary questions to find out whether Kimberley’s inner city cameras are still functional, and if not, whether any cases have been affected due to the cameras not working, secondly whether the South African Police Services (SAPS) continue to maintain and make use of them in the combating of crimes in the Central Business District.

This comes in the wake of complaints from numerous business people and ordinary citizens who have alleged the inner city cameras have become a defunct resource in the hands of SAPS. Residents have written to the DA citing concerns at the perceived increase in inner city crimes such as motor vehicle theft, and the reluctance of SAPS to employ video footage help solve the various crimes reported to the police.

One such complaint relates to the victim of motor vehicle theft having requested their investigating officers to use the footage from a camera which is stationed right in front of the spot they had their vehicle stolen. The complainant was horrified when told that the camera in question had been out of order for six months already. When asked who was responsible for the maintenance of the inner city cameras, the complainant received no response.

This is an unacceptable case of failure by the SAPS, potentially placing the lives and property of people in the City at greater risk to criminals. The silence from the police is not good enough, somebody must be held accountable.

The installation of the inner city cameras was meant to be a joint initiative between the SAPS and the business community, after the increase in business theft began taking a toll on commerce. Business facilitated the purchase and installation of the cameras, and SAPS were tasked with the maintenance and use of the camera network to help fight crime. This was envisioned to help make the work of detectives easier.

The DA implores the MEC for Transport, Safety & Liaison, Patrick Mabilo, to honour his Constitutional obligation and provide oversight over the SAPS in the province. After all it is his department which is responsible for ensuring communities in the Northern Cape are safe and secure.