New Jozi CCTV by-law is like telling a lifeguard they need permission to yell shark – Crime Activist

702’s Bongani Bingwa speaks with Andre Snyman, Crime Activist & Eblockwatch Founder.

Listen below.

Under the City of Johannesburg’s new by-laws owners of private CCTV cameras in their homes may not post any footage from those cameras on social media, even if they capture a crime on camera.

This includes sharing CCTV captured videos on WhatsApp groups to warn your neighbours or raise awareness.

This has sparked resistance from crime activists who believe sharing this footage can help identify and capture criminals.

They say this rule will hinder efforts to fight crime.

“Think of it this way, I am like a life saver on a beach, and I see a great white shark. Now they want me to go to the police station and fill out a form and get permission before I can run back and shout ‘SHARK.'"

– Andre Snyman, Crime Activist & Eblockwatch Founder 

This by-law applies to all private and external CCTV cameras installed on city land, infrastructure, and private property monitoring public areas.

RELATED: Political parties in Joburg support motion to install CCTV cameras in public spaces

Snyman says people will need to get permission to put up private CCTV cameras, remove them, or share any footage.

“This by-law, I don’t even want to get excited about it because it is so silly.”

- Andre Snyman, Crime Activist & Eblockwatch Founder

Scroll up to the audio player for more.