Cachalia Admits He’s Given up on Police Body Camera Deadline

Statement by Mzamo Billy MP – DA NCOP Member on the Select Committee on Security and Justice:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to fight vigorously for Police Body-Worn Cameras to be rolled out, despite the Acting Minister of Police, Prof Cachalia, confirming that his department has given up on any timeline for the national rollout of these body-worn cameras.

In a written parliamentary reply (see attached), the Acting Minister admits that while procurement remains underway, he cannot commit to any implementation deadline because the tender process has not yet been concluded. This is simply not good enough.

South Africans deserve a police service that is transparent, accountable and trusted. At a time when the country continues to grapple with allegations of corruption, abuse of power and criminal infiltration within SAPS, including issues emerging through the Madlanga Commission, the acting minister should be SPEEDING UP their delivery, not slowing it down.

Instead of presenting a clear national implementation plan with measurable milestones, he has once again hidden behind procurement processes and bureaucracy.

Body-worn cameras improve transparency, preserve evidence, protect honest officers from false accusations and deter misconduct.

The DA believes that every day delayed in implementing this technology is another day that crime gets worse, under an ANC Minister (acting).

South Africans are once again being asked to wait indefinitely.

In 2024, the Police Ministry is on record stating that “SAPS intends to commence the deployment of body-worn cameras from the 2025/26 financial year”. Where are the cameras, to fight crime and keep officers safe?

The DA will continue to press Acting Minister Cachalia to do his job, and to urgently finalise the procurement process.