Community monitoring restricted after 21 September change
The George Municipality’s decision to terminate direct access to the municipal NAVIC camera system for a range of security stakeholders took effect on 21 September, AfriForum said in a letter to Executive Mayor Browen Johnson. The organisation has demanded urgent intervention and says it has been refused a meeting with the municipality to discuss the move.
According to AfriForum, the persons and organisations affected include members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), neighbourhood watches, farm watches and other local security stakeholders who previously monitored live camera footage themselves to detect criminal activity and coordinate responses.
New application and additional verification
The municipality has introduced a new application process through which stakeholders must now reapply for access to the NAVIC system. AfriForum said this includes additional verification, despite stakeholders already being vetted to participate in the E2 network (Eyes and Ears Initiative) and to access the NAVIC platform.
- Termination of access came into effect on 21 September.
- Groups affected: SAPS, neighbourhood watches, farm watches and other security stakeholders.
- Municipality has introduced a new application and verification process for re‑admission.
“AfriForum believes the Municipality’s actions are short‑sighted, ill‑considered and expose the community to unnecessary security risks. These stakeholders, many of whom are volunteers, have devoted their own time, money and resources to keeping the community safe for years. Excluding them without proper consultation speaks volumes about the Municipality’s lack of appreciation for community involvement,”
That statement, attributed to Marthinus Erasmus, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Southern Cape, framed the organisation’s concern that responsibility for monitoring and coordinating information will now rest primarily with the municipal control room. AfriForum warned the change could increase security risks, given existing concerns about the control room’s capacity to respond and its communication with external stakeholders.
Questions over verification and authority
AfriForum has questioned both the necessity of a fresh verification process and the identity and mandate of any third party that may be involved in carrying out such checks. The organisation said it was unclear who would conduct verification and what authority any third party would have.
| Aspect | Before 21 Sept | After 21 Sept |
|---|---|---|
| Primary monitor of NAVIC feeds | SAPS, neighbourhood/farm watches and other stakeholders | Municipal control room (with application process for others) |
| Access process | Vetting via E2 network and NAVIC participation | New application with additional verification |
AfriForum also argued the decision runs counter to the approach promoted by the DA, which governs the municipality, of cooperation between the state, communities and the private sector. The organisation described the exclusion as a lack of appreciation for volunteer contributions to community safety.
At the time of AfriForum’s letter, the municipality had refused AfriForum’s request for a meeting to discuss the decision, the organisation said. AfriForum is urging the mayor to intervene urgently to restore direct communication and collaboration channels between municipal structures and community safety stakeholders.
Local impact and fallout
Residents reliant on local neighbourhood and farm watches for early warnings and coordinated responses may experience a change in how incidents are detected and managed while the municipality’s control room assumes primary responsibility for active monitoring. AfriForum’s statement highlights concerns about response capacity and information flow if access remains restricted without meaningful engagement with affected groups.
How and when the municipality will process the new applications, who will perform any additional verification and whether previously authorised volunteers will regain access remain outstanding questions that the mayor’s office has been asked to address, according to AfriForum’s correspondence.
Local security structures, SAPS and community leaders will be watching for the municipality’s next steps as they assess the short‑ and medium‑term implications for crime prevention and emergency coordination in George.
