Outa takes City of Johannesburg to court over 'unworkable' CCTV bylaw
'Given the extent and impact of the bylaw, it appears limited public participation took place. Alternatively there was insufficient community participation,' she said.
'It would appear the COJ is usurping policing functions by commandeering private CCTV camera systems aimed at ensuring the safety and security of individuals, communities and property within the city, which ... is primarily the function of national and provincial government. For this reason the COJ is overstepping its executive and legislative authority.'
The city's registration process is 'irrational, cumbersome and unimplementable', the organisation argued, adding it believes the bylaw will undermine community safety initiatives.
'Placing an enormous administrative burden on a CCTV owner would discourage residents from installing CCTV camera systems. The net result would be a community increasingly exposed to crime, where the police and Johannesburg metropolitan police department are not equipped to effectively deal with pervasive crime.'
Outa raised further concerns about the registration process, saying it could compromise privacy and the city's handling of data.
'The COJ may regulate its own CCTV camera systems as it deems fit, but it exceeds its powers by directly interfering with private property rights. What a person does within the boundaries of his property is private and the COJ must not intrude on this privacy.'
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