SAPS moves forward with body-worn cameras amid decade-long delays

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says the procurement of body-worn cameras has not yet been finalised because the process is at a contracting phase. SAPS is set to begin the first phase of its long-awaited body-worn cameras rollout, nearly a decade after the initiative was proposed in 2019. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced that the procurement process is currently at the contracting stage, with an estimated cost of R14 million, expected to commence in the new financial year starting in April.

Cachalia was asked by DA MP Ian Cameron about the number of body-worn and in-vehicle dash cameras that have been procured by the SAPS for use in the Western Cape. Cameron also wanted to know whether the body-worn cameras have been deployed and were currently operational. In response, Cachalia confirmed that there has been no procurement of body‑worn cameras or in‑vehicle dash cameras for use in the Western Cape.

“The procurement of body-worn cameras has not yet been finalised, as the process remains in the contracting phase,” he said. However, Cachalia revealed that the SAPS application for deviation to publish the bid was not approved. He said the process will now be handled by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

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Once a service provider is appointed, the SAPS will develop a comprehensive national rollout plan, which will determine the full implementation timeline,” said Cachalia. The promise of body-worn cameras dates to 2019 when the SAPS announced its intention to roll them out while former minister Bheki Cele was still at the helm of the department.

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