Premier Ntuli discussed the integration of technology in law enforcement as a key strategy to address crime in KwaZulu-Natal.
Image: IOL/ RON AI
KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for a focus on digital policing and technology to fight crime, following a Provincial Council Against Crime meeting on Friday.
While acknowledging significant strides made in strengthening the provincial crime response, Ntuli stressed the need for a performance dashboard to track the success of multi-sectoral crime interventions, particularly in hotspots.
The council, aimed at strengthening collaborative crime prevention strategies, convened diverse stakeholders, including Members of the Executive Council, the SA Police Service (SAPS), Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira), Border Management Authority (BMA), Department of Home Affairs, and SA Local Government Association (Salga), among others.
It also included representatives from religious groups, the business sector, and voluntary crime prevention structures.
Ntuli said significant progress has been made in strengthening the provincial crime response since their last meeting.
“One of the important milestones has been the approval of the provincial concept document on intelligence-led and digital policing on crime hotspots, which forms part of the broader integrated intervention plan aimed at addressing crime-identified hotspots across the province,” Ntuli said.
“We are also making progress in the development of the provincial integrated crime and violence prevention strategy, which has undergone extensive consultations with clusters of the provincial executive council as well as with stakeholders, including traditional leadership and local government. This strategy will provide a long-term framework to ensure a coordinated multi-sectoral response to crime and violence.”
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli addressed stakeholders at the Provincial Council Against Crime meeting, advocating for digital policing solutions.
Image: Supplied
“The other thing we’ve been talking about is using technology in fighting crime. But we have not taken stock of the areas that are using technology to fight crime.”
An ambushed cash-in-transit vehicle on the side of the N2 southbound carriageway in Durban. the incident left two security guards seriously injured and caused major traffic blockages in the surrounding areas.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Media
Ntuli announced he will soon respond to a question on government plans to increase police visibility and secure the N2 near the NPC factory, a hotspot for cash-in-transit robberies.
The cash-in transit robbery at this hotspot occurred earlier this month, which had motorists and commuters travelling along this infamous stretch of road, ducking for cover and making quick U-turns as shots were fired by robbers, who managed to ambush a Fidelity ADT vehicle on the N2's southbound carriageway.
Two security sustained serious injuries and peak hour was brought to a stand-still and neighbouring communities.
Ntuli said plans must include technology in this area (NPC factory), 'to record whatever is taking place there'.
He noted some KZN police stations are in the top 30 nationally, in terms of highest recorded crimes, including police stations like Inanda and Plessislaer.
“We should be able to take stock of whether we are making any progress in terms of introducing technology to assist police in those areas?” Ntuli said, adding that other areas with high crime statistics are Verulam and Phoenix.
“In those areas, we’ve been able to introduce the multi-sectoral engagements. Are we recording any decline in terms of crime that is taking place?”