The Gauteng province’s planned closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance camera network will be deployed at the cost of R50 million.
In addition, the provincial government will spend R31.4 million on the procurement of high-tech drones.
This is according to the budget document that accompanied finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo’s 2023 Gauteng Budget Speech.
Mamabolo yesterday tabled the province’s 2023 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) fiscal, which will see the provincial budget grow by an annual average rate of 3%, from R158.945 billion in 2023/24, to R164.785 billion in 2024/25 and R169.703 billion in 2025/26.
He used yesterday’s budget to flesh out the funds earmarked for the province’s ambitious e-driven crime-fighting efforts, as pronounced by premier Panyaza Lesufi last month.
In his inaugural State of the Province Address (SOPA), Lesufi declared the battle against crime an apex priority, saying plans were afoot to deploy technology-driven solutions to deal with the high levels of criminality in the province.
Among the region’s crime-fighting efforts is procuring 180 “state-of-the-art” drones that will infiltrate areas that are difficult to patrol and police, it was previously revealed.
Mamabolo recognised that many of Gauteng’s residents have been indirectly or directly affected by crime.
“This budget aggressively confronts the urgency with which the Gauteng Department of Community Safety will be resourced to respond accordingly.”
This, he said, means the community safety department’s budget will rise from R1 billion to multi-billion rands over the next three years.
“The R4 billion additional allocation over the 2023 MTEF is for the training and absorption of the 6 000 crime-prevention wardens currently undergoing training that is scheduled to conclude at the end of April 2023.
“In addition to capacitating these crime-prevention wardens with the necessary tools of trade, the resource allocation will enable the acquisition of technological solutions to fight crime – such as drones, and the leasing of helicopters to enhance the visibility of crime-prevention efforts.
“Also included in this allocation is funding for fleet services, to further capacitate traffic police to undertake their duties.”
As the province battles lawlessness, Mamabolo and Lesufi have been vocal about using technology to strengthen the fight against crime, corruption and vandalism.
In November, Mamabolo indicated the Department of Community Safety will receive additional funds for its crime-fighting efforts, expressing his confidence that the money will be “well spent”.
During the SOPA last month, Lesufi revealed the provincial government is exploring a number of e-policing solutions, including drones, e-panic buttons and a new integrated command centre.
He explained that from 1 April, the provincial government will start to connect suburbs, townships, business districts, schools and other public places with high-tech, face and car recognition CCTVs.
The plan is to arm residents with e-panic buttons that will be linked to law enforcement agencies, CCTVs and the new integrated command centre, said the premier at the time.
“Every time a citizen feels threatened, they will be able to press the e-panic button that will register in the offices of our law enforcement agencies and will unleash all forms of support to our citizens.
“We will unveil two new helicopters at the beginning of the next financial year and add four additional helicopters within the 2023/2024 budget cycle. The private security industry has pledged to add theirs as well to the pool of helicopters that will patrol our skies.”
Share