Article re-cap
- The City of Cape Town terminated the R100 million u2018Eye in the Skyu2019 aerial surveillance project.
- Operational costs for the project reached R16.3 million during its lifespan, including training and maintenance.
- Critics argue that the City's investments should demonstrably improve community safety.
The City of Cape Town terminated its R100 million "Eye in the Sky" aerial surveillance project due to non-compliance and escalating costs, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility and public safety initiatives.
The City’s controversial "Eye in the Sky" project, operational from April 2024 to March 2025, has been officially ended following a R100 million contract termination by Cape Argus. This decision stems from non-compliance and significant financial strain on taxpayer funds.
According to Safety and Security Mayoral Committee Member JP Smith, the technology’s operational costs - including training, operations, and storage - reached R16.3 million during its lifespan. He cited high maintenance expenses of approximately R60,000 per hour of flight time as a key factor.
Critics argue that the City's investments should demonstrably improve community safety. City watchdog Sandra Dickson highlighted that at least R27 million was budgeted for the drone programme between 2023/24 and 2028/29, encompassing hardware, software, and safety measures. Dickson emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of these deployments’ impact on crime rates.
Furthermore, the City's broader safety technology programme is budgeted at R624 million over the medium term, with substantial allocations for aerial surveillance and drone operations. Michal Koton, representing Fight Against Crime South Africa (FACSA), demanded clarity regarding procurement processes and performance outcomes of these initiatives.
Smith acknowledged successes like assistance in search and rescue operations but noted residents’ concerns about the technology’s overall effectiveness given rising crime rates. The City is now under scrutiny to justify its spending on surveillance technology.
This follows earlier local coverage of City of Cape Town Faces Audit Findings, Metro Regressing Says AG.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the City of Cape Town terminate the Eye in the Sky project?
The City ended the R100 million aerial surveillance project due to non-compliance and escalating costs. Maintenance expenses reached approximately R60,000 per hour of flight time, and operational costs including training, operations, and storage totalled R16.3 million during its one-year operational period from April 2024 to March 2025.
What budget was allocated to the drone programme in Cape Town?
At least R27 million was budgeted for the drone programme between 2023/24 and 2028/29, covering hardware, software, and safety measures. The City's broader safety technology programme is budgeted at R624 million over the medium term, with substantial allocations for aerial surveillance and drone operations.
Did the Eye in the Sky project achieve any results before termination?
Safety and Security Mayoral Committee Member JP Smith acknowledged successes including assistance in search and rescue operations. However, residents raised concerns about the technology's overall effectiveness given rising crime rates, prompting questions about whether the significant investment demonstrably improved community safety.
Who is demanding accountability for the drone programme spending?
City watchdog Sandra Dickson emphasized the need for a comprehensive assessment of the drone deployments' impact on crime rates. Michal Koton, representing Fight Against Crime South Africa, demanded clarity regarding procurement processes and performance outcomes of these surveillance technology initiatives.
Source: iol.co.za
