Buffalo City Metro is rolling up its sleeves to curb crime ahead of the festive season with the installation of surveillance cameras throughout city and fibre optic cables for fast internet and Wi-Fi hotspots at a value of about R6m.
Three contractors – EOH, Eyabantu electrical engineering and Mihlekuthi Trading – are rolling out the project.
They are busy in Quigney and Southernwood, where there is a huge influx of people during the festive season.
New cameras and Wi-Fi hotspots are being erected at Buffalo City College, St Marks, St James, Gately Street and at the bottom of St Georges near Ndosi's Tavern.
Six are also being being erected at Ebuhlanti braai spot on the beach front, with others near the Orient Theatre and along the Esplanade.
BCM head of ICT Jongikhaya Stuurman said the surveillance system has been strategically placed in high-crime areas and along the beachfront to help provide safety to beachgoers, tourists and the city residents.
“We are doing our part to reduce crime, or at least provide the necessary infrastructure to help police and law enforcement officials catch the perpetrators and get some leads on any cases that may emerge in areas where we have our cameras,” he said.
Stuurman said some of the poles mounted with Wi-Fi and CCTVs would also have an SOS button linked to police and metro law enforcement officials, especially close to areas where there was likely to be an influx of people.
SOS (save our souls) is an international code signal of extreme distress, which was historically used by ships at sea.
“We want to see our city grow into an integrated, smart city which cares about its people, putting their safety first and also allowing them to communicate with their friends and family with our free Wi-Fi,” Stuurman said.
“ In the same breath we also want to encourage people, young and old, to constantly look out for available job opportunities online and to apply, doing everything online through these hotspots which are being used more every day,” he added.
Stuurman said they were also looking to roll out the system at Leaches Bay, King William’s Town and Mdantsane.
“We have a team stationed in our intelligence room to monitor the surveillance, and we are also putting up a similar room at the law enforcement offices, which will be integrated and when a need arises, officials from either departments will notify police,” he said.
Esplanade hawker Nonceba Mpahlwa said they often witnessed people being mugged along the beachfront.
“Now with a SOS button, we will be able to report this when we can and the cameras will also help give direction, which can only be a massive help,” she said...