Tshwane CCTV cameras remain off-line due to cash shortage

A number of CCTV surveillance cameras in the Pretoria CBD have remained non-functional over several years.

Some of the cameras have not been functional since 2016, due to vandalism, theft, weather-related or other damage.

In 2019, Tshwane earmarked R18.6-million to the network of CCTV cameras for upgrades and maintenance of the cameras which were of analogue functionality with an angle of 90/180-degrees, whereas the city needed those of 360-degree coverage, according to then mayor Stevens Mokgalapa.

Previously, Mokgalapa said there were plans to repair damaged cameras in 2019, including the installation of new ones at the entrances to several townships.

But Tshwane MMC for community safety and emergency services Karen Meyer has said that the metro did not have enough funds “due to the R4.4-billion deficit left by the illegal ANC administrators”.

She was referring to a period of time when Tshwane metro was under provincial administration after the collapse of the council.

Meyer said the metro understood the necessity to beef up security in a crime-riddled CBD to keep residents feeling safe and help fight crime.

“However, the Tshwane metro is still exploring options to strengthen and seek new partnerships with various private sector entities to tap into and work with existing networks.”

She said the CCTV network was just one of the various tools available to law enforcement to ensure adequate and appropriate responses to crime and criminality.

Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman said the metro was currently working on launching a CBD Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) dedicated police station to service the area.

“The mayor is still committed to the matter of the inner city police station for TMPD, as the safety of Tshwane residents is very much important to the mayor and his administration.”

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He said an official date of launch will be communicated soon, once all the arrangements had been concluded and the city was in a better position to give full details on the facility.

Central police spokesperson Captain Augustina Selepe said there has been a slight increase in theft out of motor vehicles, smash and grabs, theft of motor vehicles and pick-pocketing.

Selepe said that police in the CBD were struggling with crime, however, interventions were in place to maintain order.

She said residents had to note that the CBD police were running a mobile station service centre at the corner of Pretorius and Prinsloo streets.

“The reason for this station is to help assist and protect the elderly and disadvantaged when collecting their Sassa grants.

“We are now working with sector managers who assist us with support through policing the CBD vicinity.”

She said this centre was to make policing simple for police and residents in the CBD in order to reduce crime.

Selepe said the police held weekly and sometimes daily operations, which tackled crime hotspots in the inner city.

“We are also receiving a lot of reports from victims who complain of petty theft for items such as cellphones or bags.

She said police continued to try their best in creating awareness in the CBD, however, their pamphlets and pleas were falling on deaf ears of the CBD community and visitors.

“We keep creating awareness for motorists to hide their valuables prior to parking in the CBD.

“We have found that through reports, motorists remain negligent as valuables such as bags and cellphones are displayed in plain sight, attracting criminals.

“We urge the public to be cautious when parking vehicles. Parking a vehicle where there is no guard you become a target to crime. Criminals are always on the lookout for an opportunity to commit crime.”

Selepe said Eeufees circle and Kgosi Mampuru Street towards Bloed Street were hotspots for smash-and-grabs.

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