Originally launched to address South Africa’s overstretched public safety infrastructure, AURA today serves over one million monthly active users across the country. The system connects users in distress with private armed response and ambulance services, achieving response times as low as three minutes. The platform has since expanded to Kenya, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with further rollouts planned for India, Sri Lanka, and Latin America.

“We wanted to democratise access to emergency response,” said Myers, “Only a small percentage of the population in many countries can afford traditional alarm-based private security. We built AURA to change that.”

API-Based Marketplace Model

Unlike traditional safety apps, AURA operates on a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) model. The company provides a backend application programming interface (API) to insurers, banks, telematics platforms, and third-party safety applications, including Uber, Discovery, FNB, MyWay, and Samsung. When an alert is triggered through any of these services, AURA’s system locates and dispatches the nearest available responder from its partner network.

Each responder is equipped with a locked Android device running AURA’s software, enabling machine-to-machine communication and location tracking. A central 24/7 control room monitors and supports all call-outs.

To build its supply network, AURA initially paid responders a flat monthly fee to adopt the technology, regardless of call volume. This helped establish the platform’s footprint before consumer traffic increased, giving AURA an early-mover advantage. Key private response firms now on the network include Fidelity ADT, CSI, and Axon, among others.

Expanding Into Global Markets

AURA is now addressing a different challenge in developed countries, police forces in the US and UK increasingly refuse to respond to unverified alarms due to high false alarm rates. In regions such as the United States and the United Kingdom, police have significantly reduced responses to residential and commercial alarm activations.

In the US, where states like Texas have over 12 million monitored homes, AURA is being deployed to fill the verification gap. It dispatches trained, vetted private guards to assess potential threats before authorities are involved. The service is currently being rolled out in 12 major US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Seattle. In the UK, AURA has operated for three years using a gig-economy model, deploying licensed guards for first-response verification.

AURA refers to its growing international network as a “global safety network”, and is in active discussions with partners such as ring.com and Rapid Response, whose alarm monitoring services handle millions of alerts each day.

Technology-Neutral, Impact-Focused

Despite its growing footprint, AURA remains platform-agnostic. “We don’t build apps, we don’t sell panic buttons, and we don’t manufacture cameras,” said Myers, “We just close the loop, technology detects crime, but humans must respond.”

AURA estimates that it is currently saving five lives per day in South Africa alone. Documented cases include the prevention of gender-based violence, near-drownings, and support during premature childbirths. Beyond personal safety, the system is also deployed for telecom tower protection, university campuses, and other fixed infrastructure.

Strategic Outlook

Looking ahead, AURA plans to expand its global emergency response API, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), travel insurers, wearable tech companies, and multinational firms to offer integrated safety support for customers and employees worldwide. The system will intelligently route incidents to either private responders, where public services are lacking, or to state emergency services, particularly in countries like Japan or Switzerland, where public systems remain reliable.

Expansion into India, Sri Lanka, and Latin America is planned for 2026. These regions are seen as high-priority due to high rates of gender-based violence, under-resourced public services, and growing urban populations.

As global emergency response infrastructure faces mounting strain, AURA’s private-sector, technology-driven model is being positioned not just as a South African success story, but as a potential global standard.

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Online Recruitment Goes Live

The historic new online e-recruitment platform will replace the previous manual application system, with this shift is designed to tighten controls, enhance transparency, and eliminate corruption risks in the hiring process. Applicants are now able to submit their information digitally, reducing the chance of documents being “lost or manipulated.”

Importantly, SAPS reminds the public that applying is entirely free and any demands for payment are indicative of a scam. Two scammers have already been arrested for charging fees to hopeful applicants.

New Intake and Expanded Capacity

The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, announced the upcoming recruitment of 5,500 new police trainees, with applications opening in June 2025, and training beginning in early 2026. This intake follows on the trend of aggressive recruitment, building on the previous 5,500 trainees already undergoing instruction this year, all of whom will be deployed by December.

Over the past three years, SAPS has added over 30,000 officers through Project 10 000, reinforcing both frontline and specialist units such as public order policing, forensic science, and detective services.

Reinforcements for High-Crime Areas

More than 4,000 officers will soon join the detective division, many of whom are being posted to 30 high-contact crime stations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. Retired detectives and those who left in good standing are also being brought back on a contractual basis. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) will see a boost of over 785 additional investigators.

To support retention, SAPS is introducing a scarce skills allowance for detective investigators, adding to the existing service allowance.

Boosting Specialised and High-Risk Units

Specialised units such as the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Counter Assault Team (CAT), and Special Task Force (STF) are also receiving increased support. Members of these elite teams will benefit from higher scarce skills allowances as an incentive to remain in service.

Additional roles earmarked for similar allowances include hostage negotiators, divers, coastal vessel handlers, and airborne law enforcement officers.

Crime Intelligence, Forensics and Crowd Control

Crime intelligence capacity is set to expand with 300 new operatives currently in training. Simultaneously, 675 forensic analysts and crime scene experts are completing workplace training before joining forensic labs and local criminal record centres.

In the past two years, 5,000 public order police officers have been trained and deployed, significantly improving the state’s ability to manage large-scale protests and unrest.

Call Centres and Local Policing Strengthened

To improve emergency response, 575 new operators have been assigned to 10111 call centres. SAPS has also built 31 new police stations in the last five years, bringing services closer to communities in need.

A total of 150 station commander posts have been filled, particularly in high-crime provinces. These leaders are now required to complete induction and management training to ensure competent station oversight.

Promotion, Career Progression and Infrastructure

From 2018 to 2023, more than 57,000 officers have been promoted. SAPS is considering promoting a further 11,000 Constables, Sergeants, and Warrant Officers in this financial year. Additionally, 3,149 critical supervisory posts, including those under the Public Service Act, will be advertised and filled.

Plans are also in place to transition 80 civilian staff in K9 and Mounted units into sworn roles to better align responsibilities and improve operational integration.

Resources and Logistics

SAPS currently operates a fleet of over 43,000 vehicles. Investment is being directed toward expanding this fleet and improving repair turnaround times by hiring additional artisans and mechanics.

SAPS leadership have emphasised their commitment to operate “without fear or favour.” The new digital recruitment system is intended not only as a technological upgrade, but a signal of wider reform aimed at building a more effective, accountable, and community-focused police service.

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In a written response, Minister Mchunu confirmed that the CMS underwent several internal upgrades during the 2024/25 financial year. These included improvements aimed at tracking gender-based violence (GBV) cases, categorising case priority levels, and expanding oversight mechanisms within provincial management structures.

Internal Upgrades, No Cost Incurred

The upgrades, carried out by IPID’s internal ICT team, introduced the ability to register and report GBV-related cases and classify investigations into three priority levels, Top Priority, High Priority, and General Investigations. An additional reviewer was also added to each provincial management group to strengthen case oversight. According to the Minister, these changes were implemented without external assistance or additional cost to the department.

Manual Input Still Required

Despite the enhancements, the system still relies heavily on manual input from case workers. Kohler-Barnard raised concerns about why case details such as criminal case numbers, classifications, investigator names, and case statuses must be manually entered, information that, in many cases, already exists within the system.

Minister Mchunu explained that while the system is capable of identifying linked cases based on identifiers like ID numbers or force numbers, this functionality is limited when such data is unavailable at the time of case registration. He also noted that physical dockets, which are still required for court processes and inter-agency coordination, contribute to the continued reliance on manual entry.

No Immediate Automation, But New System in Development

Asked whether IPID intends to automate the display of linked case information, the Minister confirmed that the department is working toward a new, modernised system. This platform will aim to integrate with external justice systems, enabling the automatic sourcing of data such as ballistics reports, post-mortem results, biometrics, and DNA evidence.

Although automation of case linking is not yet in place, the Department’s long-term goal is to streamline operations and reduce manual workload through digital integration.

Timeline and Rollout

The development of the new integrated system is expected to take approximately three years. Implementation will be managed through formal project management structures, including IPID’s own System Development Monitoring Committee and the service provider’s project team. The most recent CMS upgrades, covering GBV tracking, case prioritisation, and additional reviewers, were finalised by 30 March 2025.

Notably, the service provider currently assisting with the broader system upgrade played no role in these earlier updates.

Ongoing Digital Challenges

The Minister’s responses highlight the ongoing tension between legacy processes and digital transformation within the country’s policing oversight structures. While the latest CMS updates represent progress, the reliance on manual entry, limited case-linking functionality, and dependence on physical documentation continue to hinder operational efficiency.

The long-term success of IPID’s digital overhaul will likely depend on how quickly and effectively the department can transition from fragmented manual systems to a fully integrated, automated platform.

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Interoperability empowers diverse systems, technologies, and platforms operating across different countries and industries to exchange and interpret data seamlessly, with minimal human intervention. It is achieved through globally recognised standards, protocols, and frameworks that ensure consistency, security, and efficiency in data exchange. Interoperability supports cross-border collaboration, enhances operational efficiency, and fosters innovation. As organizations and governments increasingly rely on interconnected digital ecosystems, global interoperability becomes essential.

In January 2025, local digital document delivery and eSignature business, Impression Signatures, officially attained Certified Authority (CA) status with AWS CloudHSM, following stringent audit and application processes governed by WebTrust. This remarkable achievement marks it as a trusted entity in the verification of digital identities – one of the first accreditations of its kind across the globe. Achieving its CA status comes shortly after Impression Signatures was also accredited as one of the first cloud based Registration Authorities (RA) in the world, by WebTrust.

To be recognized as a CA under the WebTrust programme, a company must prove that it maintains effective controls for verifying subscriber information, securing keys and certificates, and protecting user data. The CA must also follow a clear Certification Practice Statement (CPS) and undergo rigorous and regular audits by licensed public accounting firms to ensure adherence to these standards and practices. In short, the road to becoming a CA requires significant effort, resources, and commitment to maintaining high standards of security and compliance.

A Registration Authority (RA) operates within a network security framework known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). The RA’s primary role is to verify the identities of individuals

requesting digital certificates, serving as a trusted intermediary between the user and the Certificate Authority (CA). Upon validating the legitimacy of these requests, the RA instructs the CA to issue digital certificates, which contain public keys. This process ensures secure and reliable information exchange within the PKI.

A public key plays a crucial role in verifying authenticity and ensuring data integrity. When a sender sends a document for digital signature, a hash of the message is created using a cryptographic hash function – a unique digital fingerprint of the message. The hash is encrypted using their private key and comprises the digital signature. At this stage, the signed message is sent to the recipient. Once the recipient extracts the digital signature, they will use the sender’s public key to decrypt the digital signature, revealing the original hash. If the decrypted hash matches the newly calculated hash, it confirms that the message has not been altered and the signature was created using the sender’s private key, proving authenticity.

This is wholly secure because only the sender’s private key can create the signature, only the corresponding public key can verify the signature. If the message is tampered with, the hash values won’t match, and verification will fail.

Certificate Authorities (CAs), in turn, function as a reliable third party, verifying the identities of online entities. By validating these identities, CAs can issue certificates that confirm the legitimacy of the entities involved. This process is essential for maintaining secure online communications and transactions.

Digital signatures, the cornerstone of secure digital transactions, guarantee data integrity and authentication, effectively preventing fraud and tampering. Trusted digital identities bolster confidence in online interactions, enabling seamless cross-border communication and collaboration. The concept of global interoperability, essential for modern digital ecosystems, fosters innovation. By adhering to internationally recognised standards and protocols, global interoperability ensures consistent, secure, and efficient data exchange, paving the way for a more interconnected and trustworthy digital economy. It is CAs who bring these essential elements together.

With global CA status, Impression Signatures has become a key player in the pursuit for true and trusted African digital identities. As a female led, homegrown South African business, this drives the notion that Africa can lead at the forefront of innovation and identity certainty.

As a CA operating on AWS Cloud, there are cost, infrastructure and security benefits for customers, citizens and the country at large. “Significant cost savings are passed on to customers, with physical infrastructure provided by AWS allowing for a break bulk approach. Impressions owns all its own IP and offers a local solution, meaning customers are also protected against the uncertainty created by currency fluctuations. With a passion for Africa, we’re working hard to bring previously unattainable infrastructure and uptime standards to the continent,” shares Peter.

Wherever a challenge exists, equal opportunity arises. In Africa, driving proper, recognised digital identities, cybersecurity infrastructure and certification skills and capabilities is crucial. “Now the overhead to offering cybersecurity to citizens is no longer an obstacle, and we’re a large step close to making proper cybersecurity available where access is a challenge – all while protecting critical services like identity verification, banking and online commerce,” she adds.

In Africa, identity is a critical roadblock to global participation. It’s essential for Africans to be removed from the grey list to facilitate this progress. Beyond simply creating digital identities, the focus must be on providing secure digital IDs that offer practical utility. “South Africans require visas to travel to 96 countries. This is a stark indicator of the lack of trust in the identity documents issued by a compromised Home Affairs system. The only way to overcome this is by creating trusted, secure and globally recognised digital identities.”

As a CA, Impression is committed to creating a digital Africa with secure identities that operate on a global scale. “We are exceedingly proud of this achievement, and the team that worked tirelessly to achieve the impossible,” concludes Peter. “With a deep commitment to Africa, the goal is to drive signing channels like USSD and WhatsApp for inclusivity and mitigate fraud and ID challenges across the continent. As we prepare for the new era of digital ID wallets, cryptography and eSigning, innovation underpinned by identity certainty is the only way forward.”

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University of Pretoria electronic engineering student Neil-John Lord, speaking at the recent SA Radar Interest Group conference at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, discussed the problem of wildlife poaching and described previous efforts at identifying poachers. These included the use of camera traps in the Pilanesberg game reserve and the use of patrols and other methods.

These methods were not satisfactory due to false alarms with the camera traps: wind moving trees, leaves falling in front of the sensors or the movement of animals. Of the useable 10 percent of data, only a small subset were poachers and not animals.

He said most motion-detection models were developed in urban environments, which did not translate well to the bush and the difficulty of operating at night exacerbated the problem.

A University of Pretoria team then augmented the camera traps with additional sensors including lidar and radar sensors to detect motion (such as that of poachers) at night. The added sensors could give the observers distance to target, velocity and other extended information (size, orientation and shape) of the target.

Lord explained that with earlier radars, a target was picked up as a single return. With the advent of millimetre band radar, numerous returns were received from the same target. The target points on the radar screen were further clarified by use of an algorithm to create a ‘point cloud’. This can be averaged to get a very accurate measurement of where the target is at a given time. But a lot more can be done.

Target tracking and target classification are critical problems in battlefield surveillance systems, Lord explained. Traditionally, military radars detected and tracked targets, but classifying them is a new development in the digital age.

In World War II, for example, radars could detect enemy aircraft, but could not tell the number or type, only height and vector (size and direction). Modern systems, using improved radar and digitised software, including artificial intelligence (AI), can separate out the height, vector and often, the general type of aircraft, such as a fighter, passenger aircraft, cargo plane, or a missile. The software’s ability to ‘classify’ radar targets can make all the difference to success in the battlespace.

Getting back to the poaching problem, Lord explained that the difficulty was that, unlike ships or aircraft, sizes of animals and poachers were unknown. He said that sizes varied drastically, from elephants to impalas, but both are animals. He pointed out that separate classes could be created for separate species, but ‘that could get complicated quite quickly’.

Lord and his team discovered that the main difference between humans and animals was that humans exhibited bipedal motion, giving a different radar return to animals with quadrupedal motion. Once this difference was fed into the radar computer, it could create two ‘classes’, one for humans, one for animals. Two possible classifications were created, one based on orientation, and one on size.

Lord said he hoped the findings could be incorporated into existing poacher detection and tracking systems.

Drone detection

William Bourn, representing the University of Cape Town, told conference delegates of the promising use of millimetre band radar, specifically Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar, to detect drones and small targets.

With the increased use of drones used by terrorists, armed forces and civilian troublemakers, such as those who disrupted air traffic at Gatwick Airport, London in 2018, drone detection has become a priority, he explained.

He described existing challenges as ‘teaching’ software with machine learning to distinguish between small objects, such as small drones and birds. While much work needs to be done, the study of millimetre band radar promises solutions for a host of tasks such as assisting civil aviation at airports, catching poachers or preventing terrorists using drones to reconnoitre or attack military or civilian targets.

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One of the standout solutions in this realm is Leonardo’s ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) system, a platform designed to revolutionise how both law enforcement and the military operates, according to the manufacturer.

ATOS is an integrated, multi-sensor, and multi-platform system that provides high-end surveillance, monitoring, and command and control capabilities for security and defence operations. Developed by Italian aerospace, defence, and security company Leonardo, ATOS is designed to enhance the effectiveness of various security operations by combining a suite of technologies that improve situational awareness, tactical decision-making, and operational coordination.

The system is modular, adaptable, and scalable, meaning it can be deployed on a wide range of platforms, from manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to land-based command posts. Its versatility makes it ideal for border security applications where large, diverse geographic areas must be monitored, and rapid, accurate decision-making is crucial.

Multi-Sensor Integration

One of the most powerful features of the ATOS system is its ability to integrate various sensors, including radar units, infrared and electro-optical cameras, and communications systems. By combining data from these different sources, ATOS provides border patrol operators with a comprehensive, real-time picture of the situation on the ground. Whether it is tracking suspicious vehicles along remote border areas, detecting illegal crossings at night using infrared cameras, or intercepting illicit communications, ATOS delivers situational awareness that is critical for responding to security threats.

Command and Control Capabilities

The ATOS system’s command and control features allow for seamless coordination between different security agencies, which is essential for effective border patrol operations. It enables rapid sharing of real-time information and video feeds between aircraft, ground units, and command centres. This interconnectedness ensures that border security forces can quickly assess a situation, allocate resources, and coordinate responses, leading to faster interdiction of threats and more efficient resource deployment.

Real-Time Data Analysis

The integration of advanced analytics within the ATOS system allows security forces to process and interpret large volumes of data quickly and accurately. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, ATOS can autonomously detect potential threats such as unusual movement patterns, vehicle anomalies, or the presence of unauthorized persons in restricted areas. This automatic analysis reduces the burden on human operators, allowing them to focus on the most critical aspects of the mission while ensuring that potential threats are identified and flagged instantly.

Versatile Platform Deployment

The ATOS system can be deployed on a variety of platforms, providing flexibility for different operational needs. Whether mounted on fixed-wing aircraft for large-scale aerial surveillance, helicopters for rapid deployment in specific border zones, or UAVs for more localized and covert monitoring, ATOS is adaptable to a wide range of mission profiles. Its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing platforms means that border patrol agencies can enhance their capabilities without overhauling existing infrastructure.

Long-Range Surveillance

The system’s long-range surveillance capabilities allow for monitoring vast border areas, including remote and hard-to-reach locations. By leveraging high-performance radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors, ATOS can detect and track objects over long distances, providing border security personnel with early warnings of potential intrusions or suspicious activities. This extended range is especially beneficial for countries with extensive borders or challenging terrain, where conventional patrol methods may be insufficient.

Enhanced Interoperability

ATOS is designed to be fully interoperable with other security and defence systems, such as national radar networks, communication systems, and even other border security agencies’ technologies. This interoperability allows for improved collaboration between agencies, enabling the sharing of data across borders and between different levels of government, which is essential for tackling transnational crime and ensuring comprehensive border security.

Applications of ATOS in Border Security

ATOS’s multi-sensor capabilities make it particularly effective for monitoring official border crossings and detecting illegal crossings. By combining radar and infrared sensors with real-time video feeds, ATOS can detect unauthorized movement even in low-visibility conditions such as at night or during inclement weather. In the event of suspicious activity, operators can quickly deploy ground patrol units to intercept intruders before they cross into restricted areas.

Border security forces can use ATOS to monitor remote, unmanned sections of the border, where traditional patrols may be ineffective. The system’s ability to detect vehicles, boats, or individuals involved in smuggling activities enables early identification of illicit shipments and better enforcement of customs regulations. Whether intercepting drugs, weapons, or human trafficking operations, ATOS improves the ability of border patrols to disrupt illegal trade.

Illegal immigration is a significant challenge for many countries with porous borders. ATOS’s surveillance capabilities allow border patrol agencies to monitor high-risk areas, detect human movement along the border, and intercept migrants before they enter the country. The system’s ability to track and record movements also helps authorities gather intelligence on human trafficking networks and organized crime syndicates involved in illegal immigration.

The system’s infrared and optical sensors make it invaluable for search and rescue operations, particularly in difficult terrain or along coastlines. In the event of a distress call or missing persons report, ATOS can quickly identify the location of the individuals and provide real-time information to rescuers, enabling them to navigate safely to the area and deliver aid.

Leonardo’s ATOS system is, according to the manufacturer, setting a new standard for border security operations by providing advanced surveillance and command capabilities that address the growing complexities of modern border challenges. With its multi-sensor integration, long-range surveillance, and real-time data analysis, ATOS is described as a game-changer for border patrol agencies, enabling them to more effectively detect, track, and respond to security threats. As global border security needs continue to evolve, ATOS offers a flexible, scalable, and powerful solution to ensure national security, protect borders, and combat transnational crime, something which South Africa could certainly make use of for its border management challenges.

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At the recent African Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition, Denel Integrated Systems Solutions (Denel ISS) demonstrated the capabilities of a distributed acoustic sensing system. The live demonstration featured a DAS interrogator unit housed in a shelter, connected to a fibre optic (f/o) cable. This cable, buried along a fence and service road, acted as the sensing medium. Movements of people and vehicles were detected in real-time and displayed on a map inside the shelter.

The events were relayed to a security incident management system, which utilized additional sensors like CCTV cameras and Thermal Radar (thermal imaging) to confirm and classify perceived threats during all-weather day and night conditions. This system integration showcased how multiple sensors in a layered defence system work together to improve overall situational awareness in a threat rich environment like national key points, borders and other military/commercial installations.

DAS technology, first described by Professor Xiaoyi Bao of the University of Ottawa in 2010, utilises a single strand of fibre optic cable to transmit laser pulses. By analysing the back-scattered light from these pulses, the system can accurately pinpoint the location and type of an event. When calibrated, DAS can achieve positional accuracy within 10 meters over a cable length of circa 200 km and classify events with over 95% accuracy. The system can measure strain and temperature changes along the cable, enhancing its detection capabilities and thus applications.

DAS is particularly effective in detecting a wide range of activities, such as walking, digging, drilling, tunnelling, or shooting, near the buried fibre optic cable. This covert, non-line-of-sight monitoring system can detect events with a vibration or acoustic signature. As f/o cable is used as a sensing medium, the system acts as a string of “passive” microphones along the length of the cable, requiring no electrical power and is immune to electromagnetic (EM) interference such as lightning. Vehicles traveling along or crossing the cable’s route can be tracked, with sensing distances extending up to 100 kilometres along a perimeter and even further with specialized cables.

Rapid advancements in DAS technology have led to its widespread adoption in various industries. In the oil and gas sector, it is used for seismic monitoring of drill holes and detecting pipeline leaks or tampering. The transportation industry employs DAS to monitor road traffic and infrastructure conditions, while railways use it to track train movements and prevent illegal activities. DAS is crucial for monitoring telecommunication, electrical, and copper cable infrastructure, enabling proactive responses to vandalism. In security applications, DAS helps protect sensitive perimeters, such as those around airports, military/commercial installations, and borders.

Border management is a key area where DAS technology shines, allowing up to 200 kilometres of border to be covertly monitored between two interrogators. This technology minimizes the need for costly and often ineffective patrols using drones and personnel only. Now drones and other sensors can be used to verify events reported by a DAS system. Once an event has been confirmed, border guards can be dispatched directly to the affected area, enabling rapid interdiction of illegal activities. DAS acts as a force multiplier when integrated with other systems integrated by Denel ISS, enhancing the overall effectiveness of border security, Dr Dawie Roos from Denel ISS explained.

DAS technology has been effectively deployed between borders in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, to name a few. By deploying DAS along these borders, nations can eliminate dependency on third-party technologies, such as satellite imagery, that could compromise national security, he concluded.

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The technique measures the levels of carbon-14, a naturally occurring radioactive element, in organic materials. After an animal dies, the carbon-14 in its ivory starts to decay at a predictable rate. By measuring the remaining carbon-14, scientists can pinpoint how long ago the animal died and exactly how old it was when it died.

If conservationists can determine that ivory being sold is from an animal that has died more than ten years prior to the sale, and that the animal had lived past its social and breeding years, then the sale of that ivory can be facilitated sustainably and legally.

This would undermine the black market trade of illegally poached ivory, as buyers would have a legal, sustainable avenue for ivory trade, as well as allowing populations of our precious animals to grow in a sustainable manner.

This is what some physicists and conservationists are now advocating: new laws that would permit the sale of older, naturally-sourced ivory.

It’s a solution that blends science with practical conservation efforts, offering a clear-cut way to differentiate between legal and illegal ivory. This transparency could bolster international efforts to crack down on poaching and ivory trafficking, as authorities could quickly and reliably test ivory to verify its age and origin.
Not so simple

But critics argue that legalising the ivory trade, even with strict regulations and carbon dating, could create loopholes that are too easily exploited, such as the forgery of certificates, making it even more difficult to trace and control trade than it already is. This could lead to an increase in poaching, as corrupt traders find ways to bypass the system.

There’s also the fear that a legal market might reignite demand for ivory, making it a desirable status symbol once more. This surge in demand could outpace the supply of naturally-sourced, sustainable ivory, putting even more pressure on elephant and rhino populations. Opening the doors to any form of ivory trade might send the wrong message: that it’s acceptable to profit from these awe-inspiring creatures, alive or dead.

While there are still discussions to be had and frameworks to develop, the potential of carbon dating in combating illegal ivory trade is exciting. It represents a fusion of science, conservation, and ethical trade practices. Carbon dating might not just about measuring the past; it might help create a better future for our animals, ensuring that they can continue to roam the wild for generations to come.

Written by Cole Potgieter, biomedical engineering student at Wits.

Republished with permission from GroundUp. The original article can be found here.

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Addressing the Smart Mobility Africa Summit in Johannesburg, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy said in order to make sure that no further theft or vandalism occurs on their lines, PRASA has employed a variety of digital solutions to protect its infrastructure as well as its passengers.

“PRASA and Huawei have partnered to employ an intelligent e-guarding perimeter system which uses artificial intelligence to alert a central control centre when there are security breaches or incidents occurring within the system.

“This includes a seismic activity tracker which monitors any digging that occurs within the perimeter of rail depots. This means that any attempts at cable theft or similar infrastructure damage is dealt with proactively rather than reactively,” the Minister said.

Thirty-one of PRASA’s 40 priority lines have re-entered into service after a period of theft and vandalism, with re-signalling of these lines an ongoing project.

“The re-signalling of these lines is a critical undertaking as it ensures the location, the availability and reliability of train services,” Creecy said.

“The use of new technologies in our economy cannot only be limited to mass infrastructure projects and macroeconomic policy. Smart systems need to be used in terms of service delivery to improve the lives of our citizens.

“This can be done in a variety of ways, whether in terms of e-permitting and licensing for transport operators, fully digitising driver’s license testing and vehicle registration, automating and digitising truck weighbridges, and using real-time monitoring of our roads network to avoid congestion and road accidents.

“New technologies can also be used to enhance the security of our communities through CCTV surveillance of our public areas and the use of drone technology to effectively monitor our borders, ensuring the safety of travellers and stopping cross-border illicit trade,” said Creecy.

Smart technology can also be used for integrated transport and logistics planning.

“Transnet has embraced smart systems through a number of measures and aims to harness this technology to further streamline logistics processes.

“Last year, the entity relaunched its integrated Port Management System (IPMS) as part of its digital transformation strategy. The IPMS is a digital vessel management system which allows real-time access to operational information in order to help manage and track freight within the Transnet system. IPMS users are able to make online service requests and see booking slots, in order to avoid over-booking,” the Minister said.

She emphasised the importance of taking advantage of the new technologies and processes available in order to maximise opportunities for economic growth and adequately meet government’s priorities.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) can alleviate this burden. By processing massive amounts of data quickly, it can map the movements of offenders and illicit goods, identify patterns in criminal behaviour and activities, and make focused connections.

AI has been recognised globally for its potential to save police hours of search and analysis work. In April, Britain’s government outlined how £230 million would be spent on AI technology to help the police save 38 million hours of police time. The European Union is implementing a project that uses AI to provide comprehensive intelligence to detect organised crime.

Policing organised environmental crime in particular is expensive, laborious and complex. These crimes often occur in remote, hard-to-access areas, involve different networks of actors, and cut across jurisdictions. Despite their significant costs to the environment, economy and society, environmental crimes tend to be a lower priority for law enforcement.

Research by the ENACT organised crime project at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) shows how AI can do some of the resource-heavy and complex aspects of investigating environmental crime in Africa.

TrailGuard AI is a system of cameras that enables national park officials to detect, stop and arrest poachers before they kill wildlife. The tiny cameras are easily camouflaged, and placed along trails where local intelligence has identified a threat. AI models filter out 99% of false positive images, saving battery life in remote places.

Eric Dinerstein, Director of Nightjar at the non-profit organisation RESOLVE, which helped develop TrailGuard, told ISS Today that with good cell transmission, an image triggered by wildlife or poachers can reach a cellphone within around 30 seconds. This enables the appropriate authorities (e.g. park rangers or police) to mount a real-time response. The system also works with other anti-poaching interventions, such as sniffer dogs.

TrailGuard technology was first deployed at Tanzania’s Singita Grumeti Reserve in 2018. It enabled the arrest of 30 poachers and the seizure of almost 600 kg of illegal bushmeat during a test phase in East Africa.

Operation Pangolin was launched in 2023 as a collaboration between universities, conservation initiatives and Gabon’s National Agency for National Parks. It collects and processes data from existing trail cameras, using AI to recognise pangolins from camera traps and thermal cameras. The imagery is used with Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool data from ranger patrols to build predictive models for pangolin poaching. The project’s long-term aim is to develop separate AI models that help predict trafficking routes and markets.

The project currently operates in Gabon and Cameroon and works closely with Nigerian stakeholders. Its team is exploring ways to build local capacity so that the data, technologies, and tools continue to be used and offer value beyond the project scope. Team member Bistra Dilkina told ISS Today that the ‘AI tool is an empty shell without local data. We need local champions embedded in the project.’

Skylight is a marine data platform that applies AI-powered pattern recognition, computer vision and machine learning to satellite data. Skylight uses ship movement identification and analysis from subject matter experts and rapidly applies it globally to detect illegal fishing across the oceans.

It alerts coastguards and other maritime enforcement agencies to suspicious vessel patterns and locations, allowing them to assess potential non-compliant or illegal activity and distinguish it from ‘normal’ behaviour. Madagascar, Kenya, Gabon, and nations around the Gulf of Guinea are among the 70 countries that use the platform. Officials use their knowledge of national laws and their institutions’ priorities, mandates and resources, to determine how to respond.

The data is received quickly enough that law enforcement can act fast, enabling timely intervention if necessary. According to Ted Schmitt, Senior Director of Conservation and Programme Manager for Skylight, coastguards had used their data to board vessels and uncover illegal fishing activity.

Digital Earth Africa (DEA) takes vast raw geospatial satellite data from across Africa and translates it into analysis-ready information. Observing changes in land use over time from satellite imagery provides insights into illegal mining activities. For instance, surface-level activities such as creating artificial ponds, clearing vegetation and building access roads may indicate unlawful mining.

Localised, real-time data on illicit mining can help make the deployment of limited resources more cost-efficient and effective. Ghana’s government has partnered with DEA to identify the location of illegal mining activities outside of mining concessions.

There are also challenges and risks to harnessing AI for law enforcement in Africa. These include limitations in the availability and volume of local data and inadequate basic communication and digital infrastructure. A lack of technical skills and resources to respond to environmental crime even when identified, is also a problem, as is limited investment in research and development. There are also concerns about reactive regulatory systems and data privacy, unauthorised surveillance of civilians, and criminal threats.

But AI is here to stay and is advancing quickly. By engaging with AI’s potential, policymakers across Africa could make a real difference in the fight against organised and complex crimes.

This requires a dedicated investment in building the capacity to gather large, local and relevant data sets. Budgets will also need to be allocated to digital and communication infrastructure, and generating the human capacity and skills for AI development and implementation.

With the African Union’s AI White Paper and Roadmap as a guide, African countries should draft and enact legislation on AI to ensure its use is regulated. Meanwhile, public-private partnerships can be leveraged to implement existing, proven AI interventions that can generate powerful crime-fighting tools.

Written by Romi Sigsworth, Research Consultant, ENACT, ISS.

Republished with permission from ISS Africa. The original article can be found here.

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