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Cachalia says surveillance technology could improve community safety

Published

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told Parliament's Select Committee on Security and Justice that the South African Police Service (SAPS) lags in adopting new technology. He spoke on Thursday while briefing MPs on the police annual report.

Cachalia said SAPS has struggled somewhat because these technologies evolve fast. He also said the service depends on the State Information Technology Agency for its IT.

He said: "Clearly, a greater rollout of surveillance technologies in communities can greatly improve safety in the short to medium term."

Cachalia said investing in the technological ability of the police would form part of his "reset agenda". He described it as a multiyear turnaround strategy for the police.

Key facts

Who
Firoz Cachalia (Acting Police Minister); Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister); South African Police Service (police service (SAPS), subject of the annual report); State Information Technology Agency (agency SAPS depends on for IT)
What
Cachalia told Parliament's Select Committee on Security and Justice, while briefing it on the police annual report, that a greater rollout of surveillance technology in communities could greatly improve safety, and that SAPS is lagging in integrating new technology.
When
22 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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