Panyaza’s expensive e-button plan will do nothing for crime, and ripe for corruption
14 March 2023
ActionSA is concerned that Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, is forging ahead with a plan to provide an emergency button (e-button) to the more than 16 million people living in the province at a time when police already fail to respond to emergency calls.
Premier Lesufi announced on Wednesday today that a tender has been issued to provide e-button services for the communities in the province to fight gender based violence and prevent crime.
ActionSA is concerned that the e-buttons will do little to nothing to fight crime, while creating an opportunity for connected politicians to benefit from the tender.
Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has already admitted that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has dropped some seven million emergency calls with 10111 call centres only staffed at 40%.