Note to Editors: Please find English and Afrikaans soundbites attached by Crezane Bosch MPL.
The safety and security of Gauteng residents is being compromised, as the Department of Community Safety revealed in a written response to the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety that only one out of 33 available drones were registered for use over the course of an entire year.
According to the department, it procured thirty-three (33) drones in the 2023/2024 financial year. Of the 33 drones, only one was registered with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
Furthermore, the department as interim measure during the 2023/2024 financial year, appointed a service provider with a Recognition of Compliance (ROC) license to operate drones for crime prevention efforts. Out of the 33 drones available, 10 were utilised under this contract, which expired at the end of May 2024. The process to obtain accreditation for flying drones is currently underway as per the department.
See reply here.
The failure to register these drones, let alone use them, is unacceptable. It shows that the Gauteng government’s significant investment in advanced technology has not yielded much return for Gauteng residents. It is also concerning that R10.8 million for the procurement of drones has been flagged as irregular expenditure under assessment in the department’s 2023/24 Annual Report. This signals a total disregard for sound financial management to achieve targeted goals for fighting crime.
The DA would have expected the same enthusiasm with which Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the use of these drones to be replicated in their registration and use. However, they have been allowed to sit idle and gather dust when our people continue to fall victim to crime in their communities.
For too long, the DA has emphasised that for high-tech crime prevention tactics to be effective, the Gauteng government must first address the basics. This includes providing all police stations with the necessary resources to combat crime, such as police vehicles, personnel, and proper infrastructure.
The DA will continue to hold Premier Lesufi accountable for his oversight of the Department of Community Safety, ensuring that Gauteng residents benefit from the huge investment made in these drones. We demand details about the timeline and specifics of the ongoing accreditation process for operating these drones. We will also be monitoring the details on the irregular expenditure on the procurement of drones.
Gauteng residents are tired of being promised grand visions, only to find themselves left unsafe with unfulfilled hopes.