Gauteng Rolls Out 6,000 CCTV Cameras in Push to Secure Joburg

The Gauteng Provincial Government is stepping up its war on crime by expanding CCTV surveillance in Johannesburg, thanks to a growing partnership between government departments, law enforcement, and private technology companies.

The campaign, aimed at making the city safer, is being spearheaded by the provincial Department of e-Government in collaboration with the Department of Community Safety and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The initiative also includes advanced crime-fighting tools such as drones, panic buttons, and vehicle tracking systems.

CCTV has been part of South Africa’s crime prevention strategy since the 1990s, originally promoted by Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA). Back then, it was seen as a promising tool to reduce criminal activity, especially in city centers, with metro police and SAPS responding to incidents picked up on camera.

Over time, municipalities have taken the lead in managing and expanding these surveillance networks. However, the lack of a coordinated approach has led to gaps in coverage and inconsistent results across different cities.

In Gauteng, Premier Panyaza Lesufi has thrown his weight behind the use of surveillance as a crime deterrent. He recently praised the rollout of 6,000 new cameras in partnership with Vuma Cam, saying crime is one of the biggest threats to investor confidence and must be urgently tackled.

“We’re under pressure to protect our communities and create safe environments. Technology gives us an advantage, but we must use it wisely and expand access to areas that need it most,” Lesufi said.

Mzi Khumalo, MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and e-Government, said the initiative reflects strong public-private cooperation, particularly in bringing security resources to previously neglected areas like townships and informal settlements.

Vuma Cam CEO Ricky Croock confirmed that an additional 5,000 “partner cameras” are being integrated into the system. These cameras are equipped to identify and flag known suspect vehicles in real time using intelligent software, making Gauteng’s system one of the most advanced in the country.

Acting Gauteng police commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni welcomed the shift toward “e-policing” and highlighted the need for community involvement to keep the infrastructure safe and functional.

“This is not just about technology—it’s about partnership, maintenance, and public trust,” he said.

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Sourced:Bedfordview and Edenvale News

Picture: General Secrurity