Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has announced that the SA Police Service (SAPS) will start deploying body-worn cameras in the 2025/26 financial year.
Despite a 2019 promise by former minister Bheki Cele, no cameras were procured.
SAPS aims to acquire 100 cameras annually at R28 818 each, totalling R2.8 million per year, subject to budget constraints, Mchunu said in a parliamentary written reply, according to Times Live.
#NDABANEWS: #Bodycams will finally be rolled out to officers from April to the South African Police Force.
After sustained pressure from the Democratic Alliance (#DA), Minister of South African Police Senzo Mchunu has finally agreed to begin deploying police body-worn cameras,… pic.twitter.com/XiVUMu5Won
— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) February 18, 2025
‘The timeline follows a comprehensive period of testing solutions to update the specifications, ensuring the technology is fit for SAPS operations and addresses the specific needs of our officers in the field,’ the report quoted the minister as saying.
Mchunu emphasised the cameras’ role in improving transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers continue to push for mandatory police body cameras to enhance oversight, despite concerns about high costs, eNCA reported.
The report said that the officers are set to receive the body cameras starting in April.
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Picture: Gallo Images
