SAPS to Roll Out Body-Worn Cameras in 2025: A New Era of Accountability and Transparency?
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is set to embark on a significant step forward in policing reform with the planned rollout of body-worn cameras beginning in April 2025. This move—long demanded by civil society and supported by various stakeholders—could mark a turning point in how law enforcement engages with the public, investigates crimes, and is held accountable for its actions.
But with the rollout starting small and surrounded by operational, financial, and logistical questions, many are asking: Will it work?
The Plan: What We Know So Far
According to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, SAPS will begin with a pilot program of 100 cameras per year, starting in April 2025. The intention is to assess functionality, compatibility, and cost-efficiency before expanding the program across the force.
Each unit is expected to cost around R28,000–R29,000, amounting to nearly R2.9 million in the first year alone, with a R14.4 million budgeted over the next five years. While this represents progress, critics argue it’s a slow start given the size of the national police force, which currently stands at over 179,000 officers.
Why Body-Worn Cameras?
Body-worn cameras (BWCs) are widely seen as tools that can:
- Increase police accountability by recording real-time interactions with the public
- Protect officers from false accusations and unwarranted complaints
- Provide reliable evidence in court cases, particularly when statements are contradictory
- De-escalate tensions in potentially volatile encounters
International studies suggest that when implemented properly, body-worn cameras can reduce both police misconduct and assaults against officers.
Union and Political Support
Police unions such as POPCRU have backed the move, seeing it as a tool that not only boosts transparency but also helps restore public trust in the police. They argue that body cameras can help honest officers prove their integrity and provide clarity in confrontational situations.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also welcomed the announcement but raised concerns about the scale and pace of the rollout. With just 100 cameras planned per year, the party says SAPS risks turning a promising idea into a “symbolic gesture” rather than a meaningful reform.
Challenges Ahead
While the idea sounds promising, the actual implementation of body-worn cameras presents several challenges:
1. Limited Rollout
Deploying 100 units per year means only 500 officers will be equipped by 2030—barely scratching the surface. This raises questions about impact and coverage, especially in high-crime areas.
2. Data Management
Footage captured on these devices needs to be stored, encrypted, and managed. SAPS will need secure storage infrastructure, faster upload capabilities, and robust data protection policies to comply with South Africa’s POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act).
3. Procurement Delays
Despite the announcement, the procurement process is still ongoing. Any delays in selecting suppliers, defining specifications, or budgeting could push back deployment timelines.
4. Training & Usage Protocols
Officers will need extensive training not only on how to use the cameras but also on when they should be turned on or off. If cameras are left inactive during key interactions, their purpose is undermined.
5. Public Oversight & Trust
Cameras can only build trust if citizens believe the footage is accessible, uncensored, and used appropriately. Independent oversight (possibly by IPID or civil society watchdogs) will be essential.
Lessons from Around the World
Several countries have already implemented body-worn camera programs with mixed results:
- In the UK, bodycams led to higher conviction rates for domestic violence cases, as footage often served as critical evidence.
- In the United States, some cities saw reductions in complaints against officers—but only when strict usage policies were enforced.
- In Kenya, their National Police Service launched a bodycam program in 2023 and has since reported better officer conduct and improved citizen feedback.
These examples show that body-worn cameras can work—but only with supporting policies, infrastructure, and oversight in place.
Public Opinion: Mixed but Hopeful
Public reactions in South Africa have been divided. While many applaud the move as overdue, others express concern that bodycams will be turned off at “convenient” times or that footage will mysteriously disappear when officers are in the wrong.
One social media user noted:
“This is great if they’re serious. But we’ve seen how things vanish in SAPS—what’s to say the footage won’t too?”
Others are cautiously optimistic:
“If done right, this could protect both the police and the public. It’s a win-win.”
What SAPS Must Get Right
To truly make body-worn cameras effective, SAPS must:
- Scale Up Faster – 100 units a year is not enough.
- Build Storage Systems – Video data needs secure, accessible storage.
- Define Clear Protocols – Officers must know when to record, and why.
- Establish Independent Oversight – External monitoring bodies must be empowered to audit and review footage.
- Ensure Transparency – The public must trust the system to use footage fairly.
- Train Officers Well – Not just technically, but ethically.
The announcement that SAPS will roll out body-worn cameras is a step in the right direction—but a step alone isn’t enough. For bodycams to transform South African policing, the government must show sustained commitment, transparency, and accountability at every level.
If implemented correctly, these cameras could usher in a new age of ethical policing and public safety. If not, they risk becoming expensive gadgets gathering dust.
As citizens, we must stay engaged, informed, and vocal—because the success of this initiative depends not only on the SAPS, but on all of us.
What’s your take?
Do you think body-worn cameras will change policing in South Africa—or are you skeptical? Let us know in the comments below.