KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for the integration of technology in law enforcement as a key strategy to address the cash-in-transit heist crisis on the N2 in Durban. This comes after a recent ambush on a Fidelity ADT vehicle left two security guards seriously injured and caused major traffic blockages in the surrounding areas.
According to the South African Government, the use of technology in fighting crime has been a topic of discussion at the Provincial Council Against Crime meeting, which convened diverse stakeholders, including Members of the Executive Council, the SA Police Service (SAPS), Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira), and the SA Local Government Association (Salga), among others.
Digital Policing Solutions
Ntuli stressed the need for a performance dashboard to track the success of multi-sectoral crime interventions, particularly in hotspots. He also announced that the provincial concept document on intelligence-led and digital policing on crime hotspots has been approved, which forms part of the broader integrated intervention plan aimed at addressing crime-identified hotspots across the province.
The development of the provincial integrated crime and violence prevention strategy is also underway, 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.
Key Strategies
Some of the key strategies to be implemented include:
- Increased police visibility and security on the N2 near the NPC factory, a hotspot for cash-in-transit robberies
- Utilization of technology, such as CCTV cameras and drones, to monitor and respond to crime
- Collaboration with private security companies to enhance crime prevention efforts
Ntuli also announced that he will soon respond to a question on government plans to increase police visibility and secure the N2 near the NPC factory.
