Gauteng Department of e-Government’s budget to focus on acquiring technological devices to fight crime
The Gauteng Department of e-Government has stated that establishing an effective e-Policing system for the province will be prioritized in this year’s allocated budget. Gauteng MEC for e-Government, Research, and Development, Mzi Khumalo outlined the budget to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Thursday, May 25. MEC Khumalo also disclosed that the budget allocated to the department is just over R1.7 billion.
The department has sought to prioritize the procurement and management of crime fighting technology to establish e-Policing in Gauteng- amongst other projects. This comes on the heels of the department’s mandate being expanded in 2022 by the new administration, led by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. GDeG’s purview was expanded to include innovating and developing technology that can boost law enforcement’s ability to effectively combat crime.
During the budget vote, the MEC indicated that the department will embark on the procurement of the following:
- Deploying of CCTV surveillance across major roads, business centres and crime hotspots in the province whilst prioritising the TISH (Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels) areas.
- Procuring high-quality drones for officials to operate and link information to law enforcement.
- Technology for tracking every registered strategic asset of the state, which includes vehicles and firearms to reduce crime.
- The development of a payment engine for cashless transactions for all GPG departments and entities.
The MEC also said that part of the department’s budget will be used to deliver services pertaining to the Gauteng Broadband Network by continuing to provide WIFI connectivity at schools, libraries, hospitals, community centers, hostels etc. The department will also develop new digitised services called e-services to ensure that Gauteng residents can access e-services digitally using computers or smartphones.
The department will also continue to build the necessary ICT skills capacity for Gauteng through the provision of accredited skills training programmes. These programmes will be facilitated to empower the youth, women and people with disabilities in our TISH areas. It’s expected that a total of 12 000 youths will benefit from ICT skills development programmes this year.
For more information contact:
Mr. Sithembiso Ndlovu on 072 183 8922, sithembiso.ndlovu@gauteng.gov.za Or Mr. Kgapa Mabusela on 067 412 1038, kgaba.mabusela@gauteng.gov.za
For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Provincial Government’s portal at www.gauteng.gov.za.
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