By Thapelo Sakoana

Pretoria - The City of Tshwane, in partnership with the business sector, will spend about R9 million to install close circuit television cameras (CCTVs) on the outskirts of the city.

This will increase the number of the cameras in the city and its surroundings from 34 to 68.

Briefing the media on Friday, 15 September, about the city's safety plans, Executive Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa said these would be established by the end of this month, focusing on Hatfield, Arcadia, Sunnyside and Marabastad.

"We are aware of the displacement nature of crime and we will spread our resources to cover other areas," she said.

With reports indicating car theft is rifer in Sunnyside, Brooklyn and Centurion; Ramokgopa explained that police were intensifying operations in these areas.

Chief of the Tshwane Metro Police Hlula Msimang said current statistics indicated that crime had decreased by between 24 percent and 80 percent in the inner city since the installation of surveillance cameras in the city over the years.

This is especially in crimes such as mugging, theft and breakings into business premises.

"One problem is that there have been displacements, with criminals now moving to the outskirts of the Central Business District and that is why we are now targeting those areas," said Msimang, adding that the city also envisaged installing CCTVs in townships.

Ramokgopa said the city also planned to introduce stringent by-laws to deal with substance abuse, especially among young people.

She said the implementation of these regulations would include drug testing in schools and target areas such as cinemas, stadia, festivals and taverns.

"The city is already working closely with the Departments of Education and Health. We have already trained more than 200 teachers in the phenomenon of drugs.

"We will be intensifying our operations in drug abuse," she said, urging parents to help government fight substance abuse among young people.

In addition, she said they would continue working with the police to clamp down on drug dealers in the city.

Source: BuaNews