Combatting Crime in the Province
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety commends the recent collaboration between the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) and Vuma Cam aimed at enhancing security measures across the province.
The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two parties signifies a crucial step forward in addressing the escalating levels of crime within Gauteng.
With the installation of 6000 CCTV cameras planned for deployment in crime hotspots, the Committee views this initiative as a pivotal milestone in leveraging technology to detect, prevent, and respond to criminal activities effectively. Such proactive measures are deemed essential, given the unacceptable surge in crime rates experienced within the province.
The Committee acknowledges the GPG’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Gauteng’s citizens and applauds the bold decision to initiate this collaborative effort. By harnessing innovative solutions, such as the partnership with Vuma Cam, a greater sense of safety and security can be instilled among the residents of Gauteng.
This initiative bears testimony to the Committee’s genuine concerns that crime in Gauteng is reaching unacceptable proportions and that more innovative measures need to be deployed to combat crime in the Province.
As part of its oversight mandate, the Committee pledges to diligently monitor the implementation of this partnership, particularly its impact on reducing crime in key areas such as townships, business districts, schools, and public spaces.
The Committee believes that interventions like this should assist in detecting or preventing crimes such as the recent incident in Oakdale Secondary School where a Grade 8 learner was allegedly stabbed to death outside the school premises.
In the same incident, a Grade 10 learner was also stabbed and rushed to hospital. Preliminary reports were that the incident was as a result of a fight that broke out among learners the day before, fueled by prevailing gangsterism among learners from different schools in the area.
In a separate incident which is alleged to have taken place on Monday, a Grade 11 learner from Reasoma Secondary School in Protea North was allegedly stabbed to death also in a gang-related incident.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address gang-related violence in school and the Committee feels that it is through partnerships such as GPG and Vuma Cams that such problems can be tackled in our communities.
While the deployment of CCTV cameras serves as a proactive deterrent against criminal activities, the Committee emphasizes the importance of community involvement within the legal framework.
The Committee urges communities to actively engage in initiatives such as Community Policing Forums, thereby contributing to a safer environment without resorting to vigilantism or unlawful actions.
