Security cameras finally ‘plugged in’

By Max Matavire Metro Editor

THREE closed-circuit security cameras set up to monitor Port Elizabeth’s central business district have been lying idle for the past two years because of a loose cable which only needed to be slotted into a socket.

The cameras were originally manned by the police but were abandoned two years ago when the operators became convinced that they were faulty.

But last week technicians called in by Omega Risk Solutions managed to “fix” the cameras when they slotted in a loose cable.

Two monitors housed in the operations room on the fourth floor of the Sanlam Building immediately started beaming activities in the CBD.

“These cameras are in good working condition. It was only one cable which was out of the socket. The fibre optics are already in place. You can even connect another two cameras to the system,” said a spokesman from the security company.

The three cameras operate at the Market Square, on the corner of Donkin Street and Govan Mbeki Avenue and at the taxi rank in Govan Mbeki Avenue. The cameras monitor the entire length of Govan Mbeki Avenue, from City Hall to the taxi rank, and also as far as the Campanile and the side streets from Govan Mbeki Avenue to Strand Street.

Although they are now working, there is no-one to man them.

No-one will now take responsibility for the cameras although the police manned them for six years.

Officials in the municipality’s safety and security division said they did not know whose responsibility the cameras were as they were installed before they joined the municipality.

Captain Deon Ackerman confirmed that the police had stopped manning the cameras because they were faulty.

He could not say whether the police would continue manning them.

Mandela Bay Development Agency chief executive Pierre Voges expressed shock that there were cameras in the CBD which were not being utilised.

“We can use these cameras as an interim measure as we wait for the launch of our camera system early next year when we will install about 24 cameras,” said Voges.

“The MBDA does not know who owns the cameras. If they belong to the municipality, they must only give us permission in writing so that we can operate them.”

He called for closer co-operation between the municipality and the MBDA in implementing the safety and security plan.

“We have our mandated area which we can cover and the municipality can do the entire Mandela Bay area. Our security plan can fit in nicely into the municipality’s bigger picture,” said Voges.