ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 FEBRUARY 2024

In a concerted effort to root out fraud and corruption and to send a stern message that no one is above the law, a multi-disciplinary sting operation nabbed an eThekwini Municipality employee for alleged theft, sabotage and vandalism of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.

The 30-year-old male suspect was arrested today, 20 February 2024, following an investigation by the City’s Disaster Management Unit, Metro Police, the City Integrity and Investigation Unit (CIIU) and the South African Police Service.

The arrest comes after the suspect was last week caught damaging the newly upgraded cables that link servers and feeds to the CCTV cameras. 

These cameras are linked to the City’s Emergency Service Control Room.

The Control Room monitors and detects crime while ensuring law and order.

The Municipality has opened a criminal case against the suspect for theft, sabotage and vandalism of municipal infrastructure. The employee, who is one of the City’s CCTV camera operator, was also served with a notice of immediate suspension.

In a bid to win the war against crime, the Municipality late last year embarked on a project to repair and upgrade CCTV cameras in the city centre. This was one of the City’s concerted efforts to ensure the safety of residents and holidaymakers during the festive season and beyond.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda commended the law enforcement agencies, the Disaster Management Unit and the CIIU for their swift response.

“We are committed to rooting out any form of criminality within the Municipality and have adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards lawlessness. This City has no room for criminals and will not allow anyone who will compromise the safety of our residents, visitors and businesses,” said Mayor Kaunda.

Head of the Disaster Management and Emergency Services Unit Vincent Ngubane said the City will not hesitate to arrest anyone who tampers with and sabotages Municipal infrastructure such as CCTV cameras, even if it’s one of their own.

Repairing damaged cameras, he said, is extremely costly and was a major setback in the fight against crime.

Residents are urged to report any suspicious and fraudulent activities which compromises service delivery to the CIIU on 0800 202020.

All services rendered by CIIU are free and the identity of the whistle-blowers is protected.

ENDS

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communication Unit.