The ANC in eThekwini Region has called on the municipality to adopt artificial intelligence measures to assist in fighting crime by being a step ahead of criminals. Among the measures the party wants implemented which includes more metro police officers and school patrollers, they have called for cameras equipped with facial recognition to identify criminals as soon as they enter specific areas.

The call comes after an increase in crime in the area including several drive-by shootings. Rapper Kiernan Forbes, better known as AKA, who was shot and killed on Florida Road last Friday, is one of the latest victims.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, regional secretary Musa Nciki, said the murder of Forbes and his close friend and chef, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane, highlighted the serious problem faced by the city.

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The double murder was followed by the murder of five people in Mariannhill earlier this week, where suspects stormed into a vehicle workshop and shot the owner and two other people. Two more people were killed just blocks away.

“The brutal nature of crimes perpetrated against innocent people on the streets and in their homes necessitate the ANC as the governing party to ensure that drastic action is taken to turn around the situation,” said Nciki.

He called on the eThekwini Municipality to put security measures in place.

“A united front against crime must be relaunched by the municipality. The municipality must ensure speed in the implementation of a multi-pronged strategy involving all spheres of government.”

“The South African Police Service and municipal (metropolitan) police collaboration strategy must be strengthened. The strategy focuses on streamlining the work of law enforcement agencies across all spheres of government to win the fight against crime.”

“The city must install Wi-Fi operated CCTV cameras that identify criminals through face (sic) recognition technology and their biometrics before even committing their next crime. These must be installed in our city centre, recreational facilities and in our communities to ensure the safety of visitors and residents.

“In addition, partnerships must be strengthened with community policing forums, Business Against Crime and other private companies. Investments in the security and safety measures in our city must receive our undivided attention. The city must work towards installing alarm systems in community areas that are linked to the police stations.”

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Nciki said that the recruitment of 200 metro police officers must be sped up to ensure visibility across the city.

“The training of new recruits must be intensified and should be focused on crime-combating techniques and enforcement of by-laws. More resources must be allocated to ensure the increase of metro police. The city must also attend to the issue of school patrollers and explore the possibility of ensuring their appointment as fully-fledged metro police officers — subject to legal processes.”

eThekwini mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, said trained metro police will be increased from 200 to 400 per year. He said the collaboration between metro police and SAPS will be strengthened.

The target number for metro police when it was established was 5 000 but sadly, we are still sitting at 2 000, so we want to increase those numbers. The issue of safety is fundamental to the growth and tourism attraction of a city,” said Kaunda.