Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni was accompanied by councillors, and Disaster Management and Metro Police officials for a walkabout during which she inspected the CCTV cameras in the city centre to ensure they would be fully functional before the festive season.
The eThekwini Municipality is embracing smart policing, and ensuring that all closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the inner city are working by the end of November.
CCTV cameras in the inner city are being repaired and upgraded and on Monday November 13 Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni conducted an oversight visit to assess the project, accompanied by members of the Security and Emergency Committee.
“Repairs of surveillance cameras in the city-centre formed part of Phase 1 of the project,” said Ms Myeni.
“The rollout of phase 2 will cover all regions in eThekwini. There are also 15 new sites that have been identified as hotspots where new cameras will be installed as part of the second phase.
“In a bid to strengthen smart policing, an operational control room will be set up at the Boscombe Place Metro Police near the beachfront, where all surveillance cameras along the promenade will be monitored. “
The delegation walked around the city-centre to inspect the functionality of the cameras that have been repaired. Ms Myeni said after the Disaster Management Unit recently presented, to the Safety and Security Services Committee, a detailed plan of action to fix the cameras, they wanted to gauge progress of the project first-hand.
“We are satisfied with the progress and how the city is moving into smart policing,” said Ms Myeni.
“The plan to fix defective outdoor surveillance cameras is part of the city’s concerted effort to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. This major repair and upgrade in technology will go a long way in enhancing the city’s ability to detect crime before it occurs as well as maintaining law and order.”
Entrance and exit points in the city have been prioritised to ensure there are no escape routes.
The Metro Police, together with the South African Police Service (SAPS), are working together to curb crime in and around the city-centre through the surveillance cameras, said Ms Myeni.
The city has also increased the number of visible law enforcement officers deployed to crime hotspots. These include township areas which also have active police stations.