Crime-fighting efforts across the province received a huge boost when Premier Alan Winde and the Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, handed drones over to various district municipalities earlier this week.
The Overberg (ODM), Cape Winelands (CWDM), Garden Route (GRDM) and West Coast (WCDM) district municipalities each took ownership of one drone.
Premier Winde said: “With technology such as drones our municipalities, in partnership with our government, are sharpening up our collective crime-fighting and disaster capabilities. Technology and innovation must be embraced so we work faster and smarter for our residents.”
The districts were represented by executive mayors, councillors Andries Franken (ODM), Memory Booysen (GRDM) and Roelof Strydom (WCDM), and CWDM’s Municipal Manager, Henry Prins. In the not-too-distant future drones will also be handed over to SANParks and, on further engagement, to the Central Karoo District Municipality.
The drones, valued at approximately R18 000 each, include various specifications and functions, such as hand-held control, an on-board camera, visual screen, recording ability and various others.
The drones were donated to the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS) by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China with the purpose of bolstering crime-fighting efforts across the province.
Allen stated: “We extend our gratitude to our international partner, as it shows its interest in seeking to ensure greater safety is achieved across the entire province.
“We have already established our K9 and Rural Safety Units on the West Coast and in the Overberg and Garden Route regions, and these drones will also complement and enhance their operations. This is yet another demonstration of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to creating safer communities, regardless of where it may be in the province.”
