10% OF 203 CCTV CAMERAS ARE NOT IN WORKING ORDER

June 9, 2006

STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
Mr. Velaphi Ndlovu
IFP spokesperson for Safety and Security Parliamentary Caucus


The IFP spokesperson for Safety and Security, Mr. Velaphi Ndlovu, raised serious concerns regarding the state of the City's CCTV system. It was reported to the Portfolio Committee on Wednesday that only 10 % of the 203 cameras are in working order.

Mr. Ndlovu said:
"The CCTV cameras are installed in order to assist the law enforcement agencies to respond to any crime that is taking place in the city. If these cameras are not working and are not even switched on, or repaired, what use are they then?"

Further Mr. Ndlovu said that the City has a responsibility to repair the cameras and the provincial legislature must assist to monitor the working of the cameras.

"If the City law enforcement agencies can not afford to repair these cameras, the province through the Community Safety budget must repair them.
Curbing crime is the responsibility of all spheres of Government."

"The 10% of the 203 CCTV cameras that are not in use or in working order in the City, need to be repaired with immediate effect - and those that are switched off due to construction taking place, should either be moved or re-erected strategically. This needs to be done with immediate effect so as to fulfil their duty of curbing crime in the City."

In conclusion, Mr. Ndlovu said:
"The safety and security desk of the City must take responsible action and repair these cameras or request the Province to do so."


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr. Velaphi Ndlovu: 083 625 0803
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848