Gauteng secures 400+ CCTV cameras for 'crime-free' G20 Summit

The Gauteng provincial government has indicated it is ready to host a crime-free G20 Summit next month.

This comes as the Gauteng MEC for education, Matome Chiloane, his agriculture counterpart, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, e-government MEC, Bonginkosi Dhlamini, and health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, held a joint media briefing on Wednesday in which they committed themselves to the province's intergovernmental collaboration for improved service delivery.

Dhlamini revealed that through the expansion of CCTV cameras and other crime-fighting measures, the province has won some crime fights in the Johannesburg CBD, including the densely-populated Small Street.

Dhlamini briefed the media on the progress and preparations made by the e-Government ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit, adding that the province is ready to host international guests who will be visiting the province as part of the Summit.

"One must acknowledge the importance of installing and rolling out CCTV cameras and their role in the fight against crime. I can safely say that we have reclaimed Small Street. We are continuing the fight despite budgetary constraints, not only in the city but in the townships and hostels. With the partnerships that we have, we have access within and around the stadium in Nasrec. We have installed more than 400 cameras as part of the G20. However, this is not only for the G20 Summit. We are not focused only on the central corridor, but all the corridors," he said. 

Chiloane, who on Tuesday led the 28 Schools of Specialisation Festival in Soweto, committed his department to building 18 new schools to deal with the challenges of overcrowding and job creation.

"Today, we committed ourselves to ethical and people-centred service delivery. In education, this alignment is delivering results: 18 new schools are being built to expand access and create jobs, and the 2026 Online Admissions cycle was successfully concluded with placement offers beginning on 16 October to ensure no learner is left behind.

"Gauteng is fully ready to administer credible NSC examinations with strong learner support and enhanced security. School safety is being intensified through a formal protocol with law enforcement to strengthen search and seizure operations, scholar transport compliance, and rapid response in high-risk areas," Chiloane said.

Chiloane further indicated that the infrastructure development programme has been through the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI).

"This project aims to address school infrastructure challenges and bring quality school infrastructure closer to communities. However, through this project, the GDE is also contributing to the creation of thousands of jobs in various communities – from Soshanguve to Lufhereng – where the projects are driving economic activity and ensuring a transfer of skills," he said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za