Vumacam announces crime-fighting partnership with Gauteng government

In a move to boost public safety and crime-fighting in SA’s economic hub and most populous province, the country’s largest private CCTV network Vumacam has partnered with the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) that will see the leveraging Vumacam’s expansive camera network and progressive technologies.

Announcing the partnership on Tuesday, the surveillance company said the endeavour would see the provincial government being granted immediate access to Vumacam’s network of over 6000 cameras in Gauteng, as well as access to the company’s 5000 partner cameras across SA.

Read: eThekwini to get more than a hundred CCTV cameras

Vumacam aims to improve various services by deploying more CCTV cameras throughout the GPG.

The firm said that these cameras will assist the GPG by “providing evidence to relevant enforcement agencies” as well as assist in maintaining public order, preventing antisocial behaviour and nuisance, providing reassurance and promote economic wellbeing.

Another stakeholder in this partnership is the Gauteng Department of e-Government. The department’s mandate is to ensure that technology bolsters the immediate fight against crime, corruption, vandalism, and lawlessness.

“As part of its efforts, the Gauteng Department of e-Government will offer smart integrated CCTV cameras as a service to all its clients, aiming to enhance service delivery through increased efficiency,” the partners noted in a statement.

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The partnership between GPG and Vumacam also includes a joint commitment to expand camera coverage into underserved areas, focusing particularly on townships, informal settlements, and hostels.

Commenting on the deal Vumacam CEO Ricky Croock said: “We believe that the alerts from our extensive network delivered through our world-class software platform and verified by expertly trained operators will result in a new normal in the fight against crime in South Africa’s economic heartland.”

He added: “The launch of our partnership with the GPD builds on the success of Vumacam’s partnerships with public entities as we deploy our advanced technology to make the people of Gauteng safer.”

Read: Vumatel to blanket Joburg in CCTV cameras

According to Vumacam, the partnership builds on the success of its existing public sector collaborations which employ its advanced technology, including the Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre, which sees the group work with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

“This partnership, which forms part of the Eyes and Ears Initiative between Business Against Crime South Africa and the South African Police Service has already delivered multiple successes in the fight against crime enabled by the SafeCity Initiative…” it noted.

“As a demonstration of the power of collaboration between municipal, provincial, national and private law enforcement, the partnership has seen over 400 interceptions registered across Gauteng monthly,” the group added.

Listen to Moneyweb editor Ryk van Niekerk speaking to Vumacam’s CEO about the group’s surveillance network (or read the transcript): 

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.