Where are SAPS’ body cameras? Experts slam delays as police accountability concerns mount

The delayed implementation of body-worn cameras for South African Police Service (SAPS) members has come under scrutiny, with concerns mounting over accountability and transparency within the police force. The procurement process for these cameras has been fraught with challenges, leaving acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia unable to give a specific date for deployment.

The SAPS had committed to procuring and deploying 450 body-worn cameras and 200 dashboard cameras during the 2025/26 financial year, as part of their modernization program aimed at improving operational efficiency, investigative capacity, and public safety. However, the lack of a clear timeline has drawn criticism from various quarters, including opposition MPs, the Democratic Alliance (DA), and independent experts.

The DA's Mzamo Billy stated that South Africans deserve a police service that is transparent and equipped, vowing to continue pushing for the rollout. Meanwhile, forensic expert Calvin Peter Rafadi emphasized the importance of body-worn cameras in providing objective evidence and rebuilding public trust, particularly in light of recent concerns over police misconduct.

The Fight Against Crime South Africa (FACSA) also backed the use of body-worn cameras, highlighting their potential to protect both the public and police officers. However, they cautioned that cameras alone cannot solve SAPS's broader issues and stressed the need for mandatory policies governing camera usage and data management.

SAPS's supply-chain system has been criticized for its inability to deliver essential equipment on time, with DA MP Nicholas Gotsell warning that the delay is symptomatic of a larger operational threat to policing.