The South African Police Service (SAPS) is taking significant steps to enhance its crime-fighting capabilities by allocating a staggering R2 billion towards the procurement of state-of-the-art drones and vehicles.
SAPS makes bold claims about investing R2bn in drone technology
This move, supported by Cabinet and announced by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, aims to intensify efforts in the ongoing battle against crime.
In addition to the implementation of advanced drone technology, the SAPS plans to deploy members of the Tactical Response Unit to crime hotspots.
This strategic allocation of funds and resources will focus on the 30 areas most affected by criminal activities, particularly murder cases, which have been on the rise, per IOL News.
Police Minister Bheki Cele, during a recent media briefing on crime statistics, highlighted an alarming spike in certain criminal activities.
Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the provinces leading in the top 30 police stations, where a high number of reported cases were recorded between January and March this year.
Minister Ntshavheni, addressing the media in Pretoria after the Cabinet meeting, emphasized the SAPS’s commitment to monitoring and protecting communities affected by crime.
A significant portion of the allocated budget, nearly R2 billion, will be dedicated to procuring drones and vehicles to enhance visibility and response capabilities.
Furthermore, an allocation of R65 million has been specifically set aside for the top 30 crime-intensive stations to address murder and other contact offences, aiming to alleviate the gravity of criminal activities in these areas.
“To bolster their crime-fighting efforts, the SAPS will deploy Tactical Response Teams to stations and districts with high crime rates,” Ntshavheni stated.
The South African Police Service also intends to reinforce its specialized tracking teams, providing further training at the provincial and district levels to effectively track and apprehend offenders.
To supplement these initiatives, the SAPS has been actively recruiting and training new officers. Another group is expected to undergo training this year, joining the police force in their mission to ensure the safety and security of communities across the nation.