By Thapelo Molefe
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the police ministry to urgently brief Parliament on the delayed rollout of police body-worn cameras, following a series of fatal police operations in KwaZulu-Natal.
The party said the growing number of lethal police operations in the province highlighted the urgent need for transparency and independent oversight.
“Policing in South Africa must be grounded in accountability, transparency, and the protection of life. Parliament cannot be kept in the dark while deadly encounters continue to rise,” DA NCOP Member on Security and Justice, Mzamo Billy, said.
Over the past few days, several police operations in KZN have resulted in the deaths of suspects. In Bester Area 10, Inanda, five suspects wanted for murder, attempted murder, and house robberies were shot and killed during a confrontation with police in the early hours of Thursday.
KZN provincial police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the suspects had previously attempted to kill police officers in November 2025 and had “wreaked havoc in the area of Inanda and the surrounding areas.” Four firearms were recovered, and no police officers were injured.
On Wednesday, two suspects wanted in connection with a quadruple shooting in Ezimangweni were fatally wounded during a shootout with police at Amaoti, Durban. Officers had earlier arrested five suspects linked to the murders and recovered a firearm and a replica gun. The suspects at Amaoti reportedly opened fire when police arrived, and two firearms were recovered from the scene.
Billy stressed that “the repeated reliance on police claims that suspects fired first — without independently verifiable evidence — undermines public confidence.”
He said body-worn cameras are essential to provide objective, verifiable evidence of police operations, ensure accountability when lethal force is used, protect both civilians and police officers, and restore public trust in policing and criminal justice outcomes.
The former Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, had publicly committed to implementing body-worn cameras from April 2025. But no meaningful update has been provided to Parliament or the public regarding the status, funding, scope, or timelines of the rollout.
“The continued absence of body-worn cameras places everyone at risk. Police officers are left exposed to contested versions of events, while communities are left without independent proof when lives are lost during SAPS operations,” Billy said.
“Parliament and the public must be informed of the Ministry’s plans, and timelines must be provided to ensure this long-promised reform is implemented without further delay.”
Between July 2023 and July 2024, 107 suspects were reportedly killed in KZN during police operations, intensifying concerns about the frequency of lethal force being used and the urgent need for independent oversight, the DA said.
INSIDE POLITICS