Johannesburg’s CCTV by-law faces strong opposition

Johannesburg’s new promulgated closed circuit television (CCTV) by-law has sparked controversy, with various stakeholders raising concerns about its impact on crime prevention, privacy rights, and operational efficiency. The by-law regulates the installation and management of privately owned CCTV cameras monitoring public spaces, requiring owners to register their cameras and obtain annual approval from the city.

By-law aims to regulate CCTV use

The by-law aims to control the use of CCTV cameras in public spaces, like streets and sidewalks. Ricky Croock, CEO of VumaCam, explained that the by-law intends to ensure CCTV technology is used responsibly, following privacy laws.

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“The by-law requires camera owners to apply to install their cameras, register them, and renew approval each year,” Croock said. “It also outlines how footage should be stored and shared to protect privacy.”

While the goal is to improve public safety, Croock warned that the by-law’s bureaucratic processes could delay crime prevention. “If not implemented correctly, it could reduce residents and businesses’ ability to protect themselves,” he added.

VumaCam supports regulation of the CCTV industry but has raised strong objections to the by-law, claiming it is unconstitutional. Croock argued that the by-law imposes more restrictive measures than national laws, undermining private security operations.

“The by-law contradicts national legislation and adds unnecessary restrictions,” Croock said. One key issue is that homeowners and private security firms must apply for city’s approval before installing CCTV cameras. If approved, the cameras must be registered, and approval must be renewed annually. Changes to camera placement require prior authorisation from the city.

Croock highlighted the significant compliance costs and paperwork these requirements impose, making the process cumbersome for camera owners.

A major concern raised by VumaCam is the restriction on who can access CCTV footage. Under the by-law, only law enforcement agencies like SAPS and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) can view or download footage. Private security companies, and other parties, are prohibited from accessing it, raising doubts about the effectiveness of security monitoring and crime response.

“The by-law’s unclear provisions may or may not allow private security firms to access video feeds,” Croock said. “This is a major concern.”

Political opposition to the by-law

The by-law has also faced criticism from political figures, notably Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku. She accused the city of lacking public participation and transparency, particularly regarding the approval process for CCTV installations.

“There was insufficient public participation, and only a few targeted stakeholders were consulted,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said. “Residents who pay for CCTV cameras were not consulted, and there is no clarity on approval timeframes, fees, or the registration process.”

Kayser-Echeozonjoku also expressed frustration about the by-law’s impact on residents’ constitutional rights, particularly their right to protect themselves. The by-law prohibits residents from sharing footage with community groups, or on social media, even during a crime in progress.

“Previously, residents could share footage with neighbourhood groups while a crime was happening,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said. “Now, they cannot, which undermines their constitutional right to protect themselves while waiting for law enforcement.”

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She stated that the flaw is lack of adequate public participation, including private property owners who are now affected without consulting them. “The by-law is now law. It was passed in council on February 21. It can only be challenged in court.”

Privacy and data concerns

Andre Aiton, director of Beagle Watch, a private security company, also lamented these concerns as he emphasised that while the by-law tries to balance crime prevention and privacy rights, it raises issues around data handling.

“The strict requirements on camera approval and registration are causing opposition,” Aiton said. “The restriction on who can access footage could limit the ability of neighbourhood watch programmes and private security to monitor incidents in real-time.”

Aiton stressed the need for clearer guidelines on data management to prevent misuse of CCTV footage.

Impact on homeowners and businesses

He further added that the by-law places significant burdens on homeowners and businesses with CCTV cameras monitoring public spaces. “All such cameras must be registered with the city, and the footage can only be used for private security purposes.”

The city will maintain a database of registered cameras, managed by JMPD.

However, critics argue that the administrative and compliance costs will discourage residents and businesses from installing or maintaining CCTV systems, according to Mike Bolhuis, owner of Specialised Security Services, who warned that the by-law could leave high-crime areas more vulnerable.

Bolhuis also raised concerns that restricted access to footage could slow down crime investigations and hinder emergency responses. “Private security and neighborhood watch programmes rely on CCTV footage for crime prevention,” he said. “This by-law could make that more difficult.”

He further outlined that camera owners must pay prescribed fees for registration, renewal, and compliance. “Violations can result in fines, or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.”

The CCTV by-law remains a contentious issue in Johannesburg. While it aims to regulate surveillance technology to improve public safety, it has faced resistance from security companies, political parties, and privacy advocates.

In the meantime, Bolhuis urged businesses, security companies, and homeowners to familiarise themselves with the by-law and ensure compliance

“We encourage community members to engage with authorities about concerns over delays, costs, and access to footage,” Bolhuis said. The future of the by-law will depend on how the City of Johannesburg addresses these ongoing issues.

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