By: Bright Ntuli
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the National Council of Provinces is calling for urgent oversight into the state of outdated technology infrastructure that is crippling policing efforts in KwaZulu-Natal.
The party’s Mzamo Billy, says many rural police stations across the province still rely on legacy satellite systems, while the radio communication systems remain analogue. In addition, the 10111 emergency call centres continue to operate on obsolete telephone systems that are no longer fit for purpose.
Billy warns that these technological deficiencies are severely hampering the police’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crime, especially in remote and high-risk areas. “In an era where crime syndicates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, our police remain stuck with tools from the last century,” he said.
This comes amid rising concerns about crime in KwaZulu-Natal, which remains one of the provinces with the highest rates of violent crime in the country. According to the latest quarterly crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the province recorded increases in murder, armed robbery, and car hijackings.
The DA argues that the failure to modernise policing infrastructure is not only a threat to community safety but also undermines officer morale and public confidence in law enforcement. The party is calling on Parliament’s select committee on security and justice to initiate an oversight visit and demand a clear plan from SAPS to upgrade its systems.
Billy further emphasised that investment in technology, including digital communication tools, modernised emergency call systems, and real-time data access, is essential for 21st-century policing.
