George Municipality faces renewed criticism over restrictions on NAVIC monitoring access

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Former George community policing forum (CPF) chairperson Rupert Pretorius has strongly criticised the municipality’s decision to restrict access to the National Vehicle Intelligence Cloud (Navic) camera monitoring system for central George, questioning the impact on crime prevention and public safety.

According to Pretorius and several other sources, the municipality has withdrawn access from all previously authorised safety stakeholders, including CPFs, neighbourhood watches, private security companies and other role players who relied on the system to monitor suspicious vehicles and co-ordinate crime prevention efforts.

Pretorius argues that while George Municipality owns the cameras, it is not the custodian of the information stored on Navic’s nationwide database.

He maintains that the municipality is trying to regulate a cloud-based network it does not own.

According to Pretorius, access to Navic is already strictly controlled. Only registered, vetted and authorised operators may access the system, with individual identification credentials and monitored searches. Operators who breach the rules risk immediate removal.

He stressed the importance of nationwide information sharing, particularly when suspected criminals travel between towns and provinces.

Pretorius also called for comparisons of George’s crime statistics for 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26, arguing that previous successes resulted from collaboration between safety organisations.

He claimed that these arrangements had effectively been halted without adequate alternatives.

“Why would someone break something so successful, placing George residents in harm’s way without carrying the responsibility?” he asked.

Current George CPF chairperson Shawn Northey confirmed that there had been “absolutely no communication” from the municipality regarding the access restrictions. “The municipality does not understand the seriousness of the situation,” he said.

AfriForum demands intervention

Pretorius’ criticism follows AfriForum’s formal appeal to George Mayor Browen Johnson on 21 October, calling for the municipality to reconsider the restrictions introduced on 21 September.

The decision removed independent monitoring access previously granted to authorised police members, CPFs, neighbourhood watches, farm watches and other safety stakeholders.

AfriForum requested interim monitoring arrangements and renewed engagement with affected organisations.

Afriforum Southern Cape district co-ordinator Marthinus Erasmus questioned the municipality’s new application and verification process, arguing that operators had already undergone vetting through Navic and the Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2).

He also criticised the municipality’s refusal to meet AfriForum, confirmed in writing by acting municipal manager Dean O’Neill on 7 October.

Erasmus acknowledged that community organisations have no automatic right to municipal camera access but argued that legislation recognises their role in crime prevention.

He cited the South African Police Service Act, the Western Cape Community Safety Act, and the Municipal Systems Act, which provide for community participation and co-operation.

Erasmus also argued that the restrictions contradict the DA’s ‘whole-of-society’ approach and warned that suspicious vehicles could disappear from the broader monitoring network when entering George.