DA demands urgent briefing on stalled police body camera rollout

The Democratic Alliance has formally called on the Ministry of Police to urgently brief Parliament on the stalled rollout of police body-worn cameras, saying delays are becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

The party says, despite clear commitments made to lawmakers, there is still no indication that the long-promised technology is being implemented - even as violent confrontations between police and suspects continue across the country.

Promises made, deadlines missed

DA NCOP member Mzamo Billy says Parliament was told in late 2024 that police body cameras were being procured, with rollout expected to begin in April 2025.

However, nearly a year later, there has been no update from the ministry on procurement progress, operational challenges or revised timelines.

“It is now January 2026, and there is absolutely no indication of where this process stands,” Billy said, adding that repeated requests for clarity have goneunanswered.

Rising police shootings heighten urgency

The DA argued the lack of progress is especially concerning given the rise in violent police encounters, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, which has seen a spate of fatal shootouts in recent months.

Billy said body-worn cameras would provide crucial, objective evidence during such incidents, helping establish exactly what happened and reducing speculation around police conduct.

Transparency and trust at the centre

According to Billy, international evidence shows that body cameras benefit both the public and law enforcement officers. Where they are used, complaints against police tend to drop, and public trust improves.

“This is not about catching out police officers,” he aid. “It’s about transparency and protecting everyone involved - especially tactical units dealing with complex and dangerous situations.”

He added that recorded footage can help resolve disputes over whether suspects were armed, who fired first and whether the force used was justified.

Costs no excuse, says DA

While acknowledging that body cameras come with cost and technological challenges, the DA insists these hurdles do not outweigh the benefits.

The party argues that widespread use of body cameras would strengthen the credibility of police versions of events and reduce public suspicion following deadly incidents.

The DA has now renewed its call for the police minister to appear before Parliament to explain what went wrong, what obstacles remain, and when South Africans can realistically expect police officers to be equipped with body-worn cameras.

Until then, the party warns, continued silence risks further eroding confidence in law enforcement at a time when trust is already under strain.

For more information, listen to Billy using the audio player below: