Johannesburg – The Gauteng Department of Community Safety’s ambitious drone programme, aimed at bolstering crime prevention and enhancing police visibility, has hit a major snag.
Despite spending a staggering R10.8 million on procuring 33 drones and receiving an additional five from the Department of e-Government, only one drone has been registered for operational use over the past year.
This shocking revelation has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the programme and the safety of Gauteng residents.
According to the department’s 2023/24 Annual Report, the province now has a total of 38 drones intended for crime prevention operations.
However, Crezane Bosch, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, revealed that only a single drone was registered with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
This glaring inefficiency has left the province’s crime-fighting capabilities in tatters, with residents remaining vulnerable to criminal activity.
The R10.8 million expenditure on drones has also been flagged as irregular in the annual report, further compounding the controversy.
Despite the hefty investment, the department has struggled to get the programme off the ground, citing delays in accreditation with the CAA and other bureaucratic hurdles.
The report did note that 22 officials were trained as drone operators, with plans to continue training in the 2024/25 financial year.
It also stated that the existing drones would be deployed to priority crime hotspots based on SAPS crime statistics.
However, with only one drone legally operational, these plans seem far from reality.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s promises of a high-tech crime-fighting revolution now appear to be little more than wasted potential.
The department’s annual report acknowledged reliance on other state organs for programme implementation, leading to significant delays.
“Protracted processes were experienced in the initiation stage of the PICC project,” the report stated, adding that recovery plans were in place to expedite completion.
Bosch adds: “As Gauteng residents continue to face rising crime rates, the drone programme’s failure emphasises a troubling gap between promise and delivery.
“With millions spent and little to show for it, the province’s crime-fighting strategy is in desperate need of a liftoff, both literally and figuratively.”
Bosch said for too long, the DA has emphasised that for high-tech crime prevention tactics to be effective, the Gauteng government must first address the basics.
“This includes providing all police stations with the necessary resources to combat crime, such as police vehicles, personnel, and proper infrastructure,” said Bosch.
He said the DA will continue to hold Premier Lesufi accountable for his oversight of the Department of Community Safety, ensuring that Gauteng residents benefit from the huge investment made in these drones.
“We demand details about the timeline and specifics of the ongoing accreditation process for operating these drones,” said Bosch.
“We will also be monitoring the details on the irregular expenditure on the procurement of drones.
“Gauteng residents are tired of being promised grand visions, only to find themselves left unsafe with unfulfilled hopes.”
*This article first appeared in our sister publication techfinancials.co.za
