Mixed reactions to FTLM’s alleged R38 million surveillance cameras

BURGERSFORT

There has been some mixed reactions on the surveillance cameras installed by the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality in the Burgersfort CBD. According to insiders at the FTLM, the cameras might have cost the tax payer’s money between R34 million to R40 million. The installation of the cameras was done towards the end of 2024, by a yet unknown service provide.

This publication spoke to a security expert, who chose to remain anonymous but applauded the FTLM for acquiring the cameras. The expert said the lack of surveillance cameras in the town has had a massive effect on the ability of the police to fight crime Tubatse.

“Surveillance cameras are crucial in fighting crime. The state of lawlessness in the town can be a result of the fact that criminals know the police are unable to witness criminal acts committed in the city, let’s hope these cameras can be used to tackle crime in the Burgersfort area.”

Locals complained about the costs of the cameras. ” The prices seem to be inflated, we don’t have high crime rate in Tubatse, this money should have been used to provide water, access bridges and other services in the town,” said resident Kutloano Makola, during a vox pop interview with the Sekhukhune Times.

Other community members indicated that the cameras were a waste of tax payers’ money: “The cameras are just installed to misuse government’s money, you may find out that they are not even operational. We have those expensive cameras, but everyday criminals are roaming our streets robbing people and not being arrested.”

Sekhukhune Times discovered that the surveillance cameras had been installed on the four main entries of the Burgersfort town. Queries were forwarded to

the FTLM’s communications team, this paper questioned about the exact costs for the surveillance cameras and if the decision to install them was made by
the council. 

This publication also wanted to know how the cameras were going to benefit the local communities. Unfortunately, the municipality was yet to respond at the time of going to print. This publication will publish the municipality’s responses once made available.