Latest news with #VumaCam
IOL News
05-05-2025
- IOL News
PICS: JMPD recovers Ford Ranger moments after motorist was brutally attacked by hijackers
The white Ford Ranger double cab bakkie was recovered by the JMPD Tracing Unit in collaboration with the SAPS Flying Squad. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has recovered a hijacked Ford Ranger double cab bakkie in Alexandra. JMPD spokesperson, Superintendent Xolani Fihla, said on Friday, members of the JMPD Tracing Unit and South African Police Service (SAPS) Flying Squad successfully located and recovered the hijacked white Ford Ranger at Mapule Komape Street and Mary Themba Street in Alexandra. 'The recovery followed a report received by JMPD officers while en route to control traffic along Pretoria Main Road. Officers encountered security personnel at a Sasol garage, where a Fidelity Tactical Team member informed them about a recent hijacking incident,' said Fihla. The victim of the Ford Ranger bakkie had been 'brutally injured' during the hijacking, which occurred in Ebony Park. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'JMPD officers promptly contacted emergency medical services for the victim,' said Fihla. 'Simultaneously, JMPD officers circulated the stolen vehicle's details and utilized Vuma Cam (cameras) to trace its last known location. With the valuable assistance of members from the SAPS Flying Squad, the vehicle was successfully located in Alexandra.' The recovered Ford Ranger was seized and taken to the Aeroton vehicle pound for further processing.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- The Citizen
Does CCTV help fight crime in Johannesburg?
The Safer Spaces website states that the use of CCTV cameras for crime prevention in South Africa's major cities began in the mid 1990s, primarily driven by Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA). There was optimism about the significant crime reductions and increased arrests, facilitated by agreements for metro police to collaborate with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in responding to incidents detected by CCTV. Over the years, city authorities have taken a more active role in introducing, managing, and upgrading CCTV systems for crime prevention. However, these efforts have often been unilateral, leading to varying levels of CCTV coverage and capabilities across South African cities. Also read: JMPD launches Joburg CCTV Response Unit CCTV cameras are integral to the Gauteng Provincial Government's strategy to combat crime, being installed in townships, business districts, high-crime areas, roads, schools, and other public spaces. Last year, in partnership with Vuma Cam, a project saw the enhancement of these initiatives, adding 6 000 additional cameras to monitor the streets. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lusufi hailed this partnership as a significant milestone, emphasising the need to combat crime, which he views as a barrier to investment in the province. He expressed his frustration with crime and the urgency of protecting residents. The technology-driven crime-fighting campaign is a collaboration between the Department of e-Government, Community Safety, and the police, aimed at enhancing existing initiatives through CCTV, drones, panic buttons, and vehicle tracking devices. Also read: Rosewalk Gardens' fire safety measure leak fixed by JW MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and e-Government Mzi Khumalo noted that this partnership exemplifies the collaboration between the public and private sectors to build safer communities. Vuma Cam has committed to expanding camera coverage in underserved areas, especially in townships and informal settlements. Vuma Cam CEO Ricky Croock stated that the agreement includes an additional 5 000 partner cameras across South Africa, which will trigger alerts for known criminal vehicles detected in Gauteng. He believes that their extensive network, and advanced software, will establish a new standard in the fight against crime. Read more: Safe and affordable ways to travel in Johannesburg without a car Acting provincial commissioner of police in Gauteng Major General Tommy Mthombeni remarked that this initiative brings them closer to e-policing, and stressed the importance of maintaining the infrastructure. He highlighted the involvement of communities as crucial to ensuring the safety of the cameras. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
