CCTV Project in Welkom and Thabong

1. The MEC of Safety and Security in the Free State during 1997, Mr Papi Kganare, initiated the investigation into the feasibility of a 24 hour Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) project in Welkom and Bloemfontein to assist in the prevention of crime and road accidents and to provide peace of mind for law-abiding citizens.

2. Captain(f) C. Smit, a senior work study officer at Area Management Services, in co-operation with Senior Superintendent R J Schutte, the Area Head Management Services of the South African Police Service in the Northern Free State, conducted a survey on the feasibility of such a system for Welkom. Welkom was identified as the city with the highest crime rate in the Northern Free State whereby it was determined that 16 (sixteen) cameras would be the basis for combating crime effectively in the Welkom CBD.

3. A CCTV Steering Committee was elected from the community, business- and private sector in Welkom to implement the CCTV system and exists in partnership with role players such as the South African Police Service, Transitional Local Council, Chamber of Commerce, Afrikaanse Sakekamer, Anglogold, SANCO, Free State Business Foundation, Attorneys, Community Police Forum, TELKOM and the Welkom Publicity Association. These roleplayers also form the Board of Directors responsible for the management of the project.

4. The proposed CCTV project is a community project for the community by the community and the ownership of the CCTV System, belongs to the community. Thus the Committee decided that the establishment of a non-profitable Section 21 Company would be the best way to administrate the Welkom CCTV System.

5. Installation of the first nine (9) cameras were successfully completed in October 1999 and is since being monitored by members of the SAPS on a 24 hour base. The cost of the project up to date, amounts to approximately R1,5 million. The Welkom CCTV Company were able to raise money and equipment from the community of Welkom and also from various sponsors from Johannesburg. During July 2002 another five [5] cameras were installed in Welkom CBD.

6. The Board of Directors managing the Welkom CCTV Company, decided that the CCTV System in Welkom, should be implemented according to the following 3 (three) phases:

   • Phase 1 : Installation of the cameras.

   • Phase 2 : Maintenance of the existing cameras.

   • Phase 3 : Expanding the CCTV system to other crime targeted areas in Welkom.
      

7. Because the Welkom CCTV Company is a non-profitable company, the company only depended on the generous support and contributions of sponsors and the community for a way of income. That all changed during September 2002, when the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison became involved in the project by donating R5.2 million to expand the CCTV project in Welkom. That gave the company the chance to expand to Thabong and by this trying to bring down crime in this area as well.

8. With the funds donated by the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison, CCTV Welkom was able to put up another thirty-three [33] cameras of which 23 will be in Thabong itself. This is a great achievement, as Thabong is the first Presidential Station in South Africa, which will be monitored by CCTV cameras.

9. CCTV Welkom wants to ensure and safe environment for all the people living in, and visiting Welkom and Thabong.