By: Natasha Archary
National Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed that government will procure 166 drones as part of its Rural Safety Strategy.
Responding to a written question by the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), Cele said the drones will be rolled out in 3-phases across 43 districts.
According to Cele, drones have already been put to use in Johannesburg, to assist police with services.
This will however be the first time, 166 drones will be used nationwide as part of SAPS’ National Policing Strategy.
The drones will be used for:
- Provincial Operational Command Centres;
- District Operational Command Centres;
- The Safer City Projects;
- Satellite drone units serving various police stations;
- The utilisation of drones in rural safety plans
Cele said that drones are already being used by several upmarket estates and complexes to monitor crime on the ground.
The cost of a state of the art drone is roughly around R93K, which will mean a budget of an estimated R15.5 million will be allocated to purchase the drones.
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