Fatshimetrie Chief Commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu recently announced that the Durban Metropolitan Police Service would take over control of the city’s CCTV network. This transition from the Department of Disaster Management to the Metropolitan Police is expected to strengthen the fight against crime in the region.
Mchunu expressed confidence in his team’s ability to manage the surveillance network, stressing the critical importance of the tool in preventing and combating crime in Durban. However, inside sources revealed that the contracts for the installation and maintenance of the system, estimated at R100 million per year, represent a major challenge in this transition.
Indeed, the significant amount of these contracts raises questions about their future management by the Metropolitan Police. Some believe that the financial benefits associated with these contracts could be a reason for the Department of Disaster Management to maintain control of the network. This raises concerns about the transparency and efficiency of the management of the CCTV network.
It is imperative that this transition be carried out transparently and in accordance with the principles of good governance. The security of Durban’s citizens cannot be compromised by financial or political interests. It is therefore crucial that the authorities ensure that this transition is carried out in the public interest and in accordance with democratic principles.
The management of Durban’s surveillance camera network is a major issue for the safety and well-being of the city’s residents. It is essential that this transition to the Metropolitan Police be carried out transparently and accountably, in order to ensure an effective fight against crime and to maintain citizens’ trust in the institutions charged with protecting them.