KEY POINTS
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Cape Town CCTV and drone surveillance helped police arrest over 200 suspects in one week.
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The city faces legal setbacks despite capturing crimes on video using digital tools.
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Cape Town will test prosecutions using footage shared by suspects online.
Officials in Cape Town claim that the city’s drone and CCTV surveillance network is still responsible for many recent arrests and effective crime prevention initiatives.
CCTV and drone surveillance boost arrest numbers in Cape Town
JP Smith, a member of the mayoral committee for safety and security, digital tools are now an integral part of law enforcement tactics throughout the metro.
According to Mybroadband, enforcement teams were recently guided to active crime scenes by CCTV and drone operators, which resulted to numerous arrests and evidence-based interventions.
In a single week starting on May 1, the city reported 235 arrests, many of which were directly connected to surveillance operator footage.
In one instance, CCTV operators reported the location to law authorities after observing two males who appeared to be smoking an illicit narcotic.
When police came, they discovered that the two suspects, ages 31 and 40, were in possession of mandrax. They were both immediately taken into custody.
Another successful apprehension occurred after operators spotted a 50-year-old man with a knife and mandrax.
Smith claimed that by boosting red-handed arrests and bolstering prosecutions with trustworthy and unquestionable video evidence in court, surveillance helps law enforcement.
He also underlined how airborne drones, which provide wide-angle views of hazardous settings and developing threats, enhance the situational awareness of ground personnel.
A Mercedes-Benz motorist who was caught driving while intoxicated was recently arrested thanks to CCTV evidence.
Smith did, however, recognize that there are difficulties in using CCTV for prosecution because the material frequently lacks consistency or makes it difficult to identify specific criminal acts.
Cape Town to test arrests from social media videos
He clarified that unless the original recorder consents to testify, online videos—including social media clips—face challenges in court.
Smith cited recent footage of careless supercar racing in Sea Point, but he insisted that until witnesses come forward, the city cannot take any action.
He went on to say that prosecutions from public sources are uncommon and legally complex since courts want validated, first-hand witness regarding recordings.
According to Smith, everyone who submits dashcam or cellphone footage has to testify in court and personally file charges with the South African Police Services.
He brought up a failed Johannesburg experiment that undermined public cooperation with prosecutors because few people were prepared to put up with continuous court delays.
