Antiquated police equipment: Cape Forum demands answers from SITA
6 December 2023
While the Western Cape is caught in a serious stranglehold of crime, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in this province have to make do with insufficient and antiquated technology or make use of personal WhatsApp messages. The civil rights organisation Cape Forum believes this is due to the State Information Technology Agency’s (SITA) remissness and alleged irregularities in a tender process. Cape Forum is therefore now demanding answers from SITA regarding the lack of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to the SAPS’ radio network.
This follows after it became known earlier this year that the SAPS has had to make do with outdated radio communication equipment for more than 13 years. Cape Forum has meanwhile received several complaints from SAPS members who argue that they have to ask for assistance through WhatsApp messages and pin locations.
“Crime is one of the biggest obstacles to economic progress in South Africa. It is particularly regrettable that SAPS members put their lives on the line on a daily basis and are not even equipped with the necessary resources to fight crime,” says Bernard Pieters, Manager of Community Activation at Cape Forum.
Cape Forum wrote to Molatlhegi Kgauwe, SITA’s acting Managing Director, about the outdated technology in early September. “Neither Kgauwe nor his office answered Cape Forum’s inquiry,” explains Pieters.