Caryn Dolley
Cape Town – Police have started using drones to gather information usually beyond their reach – to map out exactly where crimes are being committed and, without officers even having to move around, identify who is behind illegal activities.
This means it will likely become more difficult for criminals to try and conceal their activities as they will be monitored without them necessarily knowing it, from high above.
The use of drones was discussed at a national level during a police portfolio committee meeting in Parliament in August.
Democratic Alliance MP Zakhele Mbhele had asked whether police could use drone surveillance for 24-hour monitoring of the homes of drug lords.
It emerged the devices would more likely be used for crowd control.
During the August meeting deputy national commissioner of policing Lieutenant General Sehlahle Masemola had said this type of surveillance was on the radar and drones were set to be approved.
However, some police teams are already making use of drones…
PRIVACY & SURVEILLANCE IN AFRICA 