The tragic case of Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old woman who went missing while out for a run in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, has highlighted the need for improved surveillance technology in South Africa. Moselakgomo's body was found three days later behind a hotel in the suburb. Her family identified her at the Germiston mortuary. This incident has sparked calls for the adoption of advanced surveillance technologies, such as AI-powered video search systems, to help locate missing persons quickly.
Globally, cities like Seoul, South Korea, have successfully implemented AI-powered video search systems to help find missing persons. In April, the Seoul Metropolitan Government commenced the roll-out of such a system across all 25 of its districts, which can search through footage from 123,000 cameras in a matter of minutes. Similarly, India has implemented safety islands with cameras and panic buttons along routes, which have proven effective in ensuring women's safety.
In South Africa, the Gauteng province has already invested R124.5-million in installing 960 CCTV cameras, but a significant number of these cameras are non-functional due to vandalism, water damage, and faulty inverters. The provincial government has acknowledged the issue, with 89 sites affected, and has allocated R12-million to R15-million annually for maintenance. However, there is a need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to surveillance.
Professor D Khosa, from Unisa's College of Law, School of Criminal Justice, has proposed a multi-faceted approach to enhance surveillance and safety. This includes installing cameras along identified walking and running routes, particularly in areas with high foot traffic, such as station precincts and taxi ranks. Khosa estimates that 300 cameras in Ekurhuleni would cost approximately R39-million, a relatively small investment compared to the provincial government's R1.9-billion allocation for digital transformation.
Another key aspect is linking e-panic buttons to the camera network. Gauteng has distributed over 184,000 e-panic buttons, but these are not currently integrated with the provincial camera network. By connecting these two systems, responders could quickly locate and assist individuals in distress. This integration would require a software and integration job, which the province should cost, tender, and schedule.
To expedite the search for missing persons, Khosa suggests establishing a written protocol for a coordinated video search, which would involve multiple bureaucratic entities, including the Gauteng Department of e-Government, the City of Ekurhuleni Department of Community Safety, and the SAPS provincial commissioner. This protocol would enable the private networks to release relevant footage quickly, rather than after a lengthy delay.
While there are objections to the use of surveillance technology, particularly with regards to facial recognition, Khosa emphasizes that cameras record and do not intervene. The effectiveness of the technology depends on control room staffing and vehicles being funded alongside the hardware. The state of the network is also crucial, and the province must prioritize maintenance and uptime to ensure that the cameras are functional and effective.
Key points
- South Africa needs to adopt advanced surveillance technologies, such as AI-powered video search systems, to help locate missing persons quickly.
- The Gauteng province has already invested R124.5-million in installing 960 CCTV cameras, but many of these cameras are non-functional.
- Integrating e-panic buttons with the camera network and establishing a coordinated video search protocol could significantly enhance safety and response times.
