The Portfolio Committee on Police has expressed both support and concern regarding the South African Police Service’s (SAPS’s) planned information and technology interventions to enhance its crime-fighting capabilities. While the committee applauded the intention to incorporate advanced technologies, it raised significant concerns about the lack of clear implementation timelines, costings, and the ongoing challenges posed by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), which remains a major barrier to progress.
Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron highlighted that SITA has faced persistent issues in delivering the necessary technological platforms to support SAPS operations. Without addressing these challenges, he warned, the police service’s tech plans would remain unworkable, preventing the integration of crucial systems that could help combat crime more effectively. “The reality is that SITA has had varied challenges in delivering technological platforms necessary to capacitate the SAPS to effectively incorporate technology into its crime-fighting initiatives,” Cameron said. “Without factoring these challenges into the environment, the plans will remain unimplementable.”
In addition to the SITA issues, the committee expressed concerns over the lack of integration between key platforms used by the SAPS, such as the automated vehicle location system, global emergency mobile communication, and command and control systems. “Integration of these platforms will ensure that SAPS has the capabilities to respond to crimes more efficiently and detect incidents more effectively,” Cameron emphasized.
While the committee welcomed the SAPS’s plans to collaborate with local government agencies, including the South African National Roads Agency, the absence of clear implementation deadlines makes it difficult for the committee and provincial legislatures to monitor progress and ensure accountability. Cameron stressed that delays in adopting technological solutions could hinder efforts to combat crime effectively, urging that every effort be made to implement these systems without further postponement.
The committee also raised concerns about the lack of public awareness of SAPS’s mobile application, which is designed to allow anonymous crime tip-offs, video uploads, and the sharing of safety information. Cameron noted that the app, which could greatly enhance public cooperation in crime-fighting, is poorly known among South Africans. “In a country facing the scourge of criminality, such an application should be communicated to enhance information sharing,” he said.
The committee commended the training of 60 police officers in operating remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones) but stressed the need to expand this capability. Drones could significantly improve policing in densely populated and hard-to-reach areas, particularly in informal settlements where traditional policing methods are less effective.
On another positive note, the committee welcomed the SAPS’s initiative to explore body cameras for officers. Having advocated for this technology for some time, the committee believes body cameras will help ensure greater accountability and enhance officer safety, while potentially reducing civil claims against the police. The committee has requested regular updates on the roll-out of this technology.
The committee also acknowledged progress in the development of an integrated, paperless Firearms Control Management System (FCMS), which it sees as essential for efficient adjudication of firearm applications and tracking their progress. However, it urged the SAPS to stick to the project timeline and ensure that the system is fully operational by March 2026.
Finally, the committee has scheduled a follow-up meeting to discuss the findings from an oversight visit to the SAPS Philippi Training Academy, amid ongoing concerns over corruption at the facility.
As the SAPS continues to pursue technological advancements to improve its crime-fighting efforts, the Portfolio Committee on Police remains focused on ensuring that these initiatives are implemented efficiently, on time, and with full accountability.
