Various district municipalities, including the Cape Winelands (CWDM), Overberg (ODM), Garden Route (GRDM) and West Coast (WCDM), each received a drone yesterday, 20 February, when Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen handed them over.
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According to Premier Winde, the handover signified a collective sharpening up of crime-fighting and disaster capabilities across the province.
‘With technology such as drones, our municipalities, in partnership with our government, are sharpening up our collective crime-fighting and disaster capabilities,’ said Winde.
‘Technology and innovation must be embraced so that we work faster and smarter for our residents.’
The districts were represented by the executive mayors, Alderman Andries Franken (ODM), Alderman Memory Booysen (GRDM), Alderman Roelof Strydom (WCDM) and Municipal Manager Henry Prins (CWDM).
It was reported that drones will also be handed over to SANParks in the not-so-distant future and, upon further engagement, to the Central Karoo district municipality.
The drones, valued at approximately R18 000 each and donated to the department of police oversight and community safety by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, include various specifications and functions such as handheld control, an onboard camera, a visual screen, recording ability and various others.
‘We extend our gratitude to our international partner, as it shows their interest in seeking to ensure that greater safety is achieved across the entire province,’ said Minister Allen.
‘We have already established our K9 and Rural Safety Units on the West Coast, 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 create safer communities regardless of where it might be in the province.’
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Picture: Supplied