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Techno-boost in crime battle

Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

A radical campaign aimed at reducing crime was launched in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday.

The R75million anti-crime campaign, called the Crime Line, is an initiative of Primedia and the SAPS.

The bulk of the funds, R50million, came from the media group and R25million from the SAPS.

The initiative involves the setting up of a data centre, which is now operational.

Citizens can blow the whistle on crime by cellphone SMSes or e-mail to the centre.

Data capturers have been trained by the SAPS.

Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula said: "Citizens must identify wayward citizens in order to have a better South Africa. The initiative will assist national Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, who has pledged R25million to the project.

"Though we signed a one-year contract, I hope the partnership will be longer than that."

Project coordinator and Primedia group head Yusuf Abramjee said: "We want to use our reach and equipment to make a difference to South Africans' lives."

Talk Radio 702 presenter John Robbie handed over 65 ID tool machines to the SAPS.

The machine is a mobile fingerprint identification device to identify suspects and criminals.

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