An R18m investment in safety and security has set Midvaal Local Municipality apart from its peers.
The municipality boasts over 600 cameras monitoring various areas, including SNIPR licence-plate-recognition cameras, high-site and solar-powered units, advanced pan-tilt-zoom and thermal cameras used to monitor municipal properties, infrastructure, and key traffic routes and areas.

This investment speaks to one of the mayoral undertakings: To invest in the safety and security of all the people of Midvaal.

Mayor Peter Teixeira says the municipality recognised that communities can only prosper when residents feel safe in their homes, businesses, farms and public spaces.

“We pledged to strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies, support vulnerable groups and protect farming communities. Our plan involved combating social ills and ensuring that every resident, whether living in our towns, settlements or rural areas, could enjoy a safer environment.”

In the five years, the municipality has distributed over 560 portable radios, 650 torches, and 300 reflector vests to patrollers, members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and communities to strengthen crime-fighting efforts. Furthermore, the municipality established a Law Enforcement Unit to combat crime and keep communities safe.

“The unit consists of highly trained safety officers with specialised skills in crime prevention and intelligence-led operations. The unit utilises high-performance Ford Raptors equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including number plate recognition cameras.”

Teixeira said since the commencement of its operations in December 2025, the team has assisted in arrests related to the possession of unlawful firearms, fraud involving false vehicle registrations, illegal immigration and other criminal activities.

“A safe community is not built on policing alone. It also depends on a strong and reliable fire service that is ready to protect when disaster strikes.”

Teixeira said that because the municipality has one of the best firefighting teams, they have ensured that the two fire stations serving Midvaal communities are well equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology.

“Over the past five years, we have invested more than R30m in critical firefighting and emergency response equipment. This includes fire trailers, a rescue boat, grassfire-fighting equipment, a Major Pumper fire engine, and radios and repeaters to strengthen our communication network.”

Additionally, the municipality procured rescue vehicles for the Vaal Marina Fire Station to better serve Ward 1, along with other essential equipment that enhances our emergency response capabilities.

“These investments ensure that our firefighters can continue to protect lives and property while delivering an exceptional service to our communities.”

Talking about the Traffic Section, he said that since 2022, the Traffic Department has been allocated over R60m to ensure it is well equipped to perform its duties.

“This investment has funded the purchase of vehicles to enable them to move around and respond to traffic-related duties. Our traffic officers are also equipped with body cameras and traffic scanners, enhancing accountability and operational effectiveness.”