The launch took place in King Dingizulu Street and was facilitated by Diepsloot police, the Centre for Public Service Innovation and Memeza founder, Thuli Mthethwa.
“We are working very closely with our departments, such as the South African Police Service, to make sure that innovation reaches everyone in the country,” said Pierre Schoonraad of the Centre for Public Service Innovation. “This project is being done in collaboration between police, Memeza Crime Prevention and private sector sponsorships.”
The aim is to test the effectiveness of the alarm system to see if it really contributes to the prevention and decrease of crime in Diepsloot and also to allow police to respond to instances of crime more rapidly.
“The time for the Memeza community alarm project has finally arrived,” said Mthethwa. “Installation of the first 40 units begins today and a further 560 units will be rolled out in the next coming weeks.
“Memeza is about bringing people together and mobilising communities when a crime is committed,” Mthethwa continued. “We believe in strength in numbers and we want Diepsloot residents to know they are not alone, they are no longer vulnerable.”
Developed by the Innovation Hub based in Tshwane, the alarm system is made from low-cost materials and consists of an outside and inside sensor equipped with panic buttons to alert police, medical assistance and the fire station. These are programmed to send SMSes to police sector vehicles, neighbours, the community policing forum and the homeowner, if panic buttons are pressed or the signal is compromised, allowing for quicker response times.
Spokesperson for Diepsloot police, Warrant Officer Daniel Mavimbela said the reason they sought alternative innovations to curb crime was the challenges faced by police in Diepsloot. “Break-ins, robberies and especially cases of domestic violence often happen behind closed doors. The first thing usually to be stolen is the victim’s cellphone, making it difficult for them to report the crime.”
Mavimbela explained that with the alarm system in place, crime victims will be given a second chance, even if they no longer have a phone. “These alarm systems will hopefully serve as a deterrence to criminals.”
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