Cape Town pumps R14.4m into CCTV as 1,200-camera network logs 3,078 incidents in a month

The City of Cape Town is spending approximately R14.4 million on new CCTV cameras and upgrades in the current financial year, with 85% of installations completed by mid-February 2026, ITWeb reported.

The metro's network now numbers more than 1,200 cameras across high-crime areas, public spaces and key infrastructure. New installations are under way in Langa, Beacon Valley, Brown's Farm, Macassar, Morningstar, Durbanville, Electric City and Malibu Village.

In January 2026 alone the CCTV system detected 3,078 incidents - including by-law violations, fires, traffic incidents and suspected crimes - and was linked to 52 arrests. SAPS made 42 requests for CCTV assistance in January, with just over half yielding positive results; Nyanga accounted for roughly 25% of police requests.

Longer-term expansion is planned for areas without fibre, including the corridor between Khayelitsha and Sir Lowry's Pass Village, the deep south, and southern suburbs from Wetton to Rondebosch.

Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith, who said the city's CCTV journey has been running for more than 25 years, called CCTV "one of the best force multipliers".

Source: ITWeb, 16 March 2026 - itweb.co.za