Local South African organizations are all about tech the days. Last week we had the SABC laughably announced their intention to step into the streaming game and now this morning we have news of the South African Police Service getting into the app game. This time, however, it’s less of a laughing matter and something to get behind as Business Tech reports that the SAPS has teamed up with Vodacom to launch a new app.
The new app, called MySAPS, is designed to help South African citizens contribute to their own safety and support the national police efforts in the country by bringing communities into closer contact with their local police stations. The app will allow users to provide anonymous tip-offs to the police, find police stations and facilities and send an emergency alert or messages in case of danger, hoping the police will intercept them and be able to respond. It’s a little similar to Namola, then.
The app will require users to register a profile, the purpose of which will enable the service to identify services close to you while also enable the police to locate and contact you in times of an emergency. To make use of the tip-off facility, within the app or via USSD, users can select to report the crime anonymously, which will ensure it does not share their profile. Once they have done so though, it will give a reference number which can provide any additional information to the related crime or follow up on the progress.
The app is available for download in both Google and Apple stores, with a USSD string also available for the anonymous tip-offs. The SAPS, as revealed by National Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, is hoping that the app brings communities closer to the police and hopefully improve their effectiveness in being able to respond to and solve crimes in various areas:
Our end goal through the introduction of this app, is to create a safer society for all South Africans. By partnering with Vodacom, we’ve been able to take a step in the right direction as a country, one that sees us use technology to support national police efforts and bring communities together to help us fight crime
This is honestly a great idea and something which I hope turns out to be successful for both the country and its police service. It’s a great example of how technology should be playing a role in improving service delivery and saving lives and hopefully, this can turn out to not be a big red herring and actually do so.
Last Updated: October 28, 2019
G8crasha
October 28, 2019 at 11:29
The idea is solid, and it may curb some crime, but unfortunately, if the actual acts of policing are inadequate, this app will have limited effect on reducing crime.
But, I commend them for trying. Now they just need to take a look at their police officers!
Admiral Chief
October 28, 2019 at 09:29
This is great. However, this service should be free. Vodacom should not be making money off this
Pennywise The Dancing Clown
October 28, 2019 at 10:35
Pardon my french but let’s be honest. Government and corporates does not give one flying fuck about you and me and the rest of the populace of this country.
It’s all about them Randela’s.
Admiral Chief
October 28, 2019 at 10:43
I always wondered how a flying F looks like, and how does it compare to a naval F and a land F
Pennywise The Dancing Clown
October 28, 2019 at 10:43
Translated:
Vlieg in jou moer
Vaar in jou moer
Ry in jou moer.
Admiral Chief
October 28, 2019 at 11:12
“Vaar in jou moer”
Nou dis manjefiek.
VAAR IN JOU MOER NA BAKBOORT JOU VABOND!
justlikemo
October 28, 2019 at 09:47
There is already an app, its called WhatsApp, much faster
Admiral Chief
October 28, 2019 at 12:03
But not anonymous
Hammersteyn
October 28, 2019 at 10:06
can we report cops sleeping on the job or using vehicles for personal use?
HvR
October 28, 2019 at 12:40
Rather go to station ot cluster commander directly otherwise IPID.
Admiral Chief
October 28, 2019 at 10:06
I’d pay to report bad policing
HvR
October 28, 2019 at 12:40
Rather go to station ot cluster commander directly otherwise IPID.
Son of Banana Jim
October 28, 2019 at 13:02
But, think of our poor cops, where else are they supposed to catch a few hours of Zs or make a few more rands by turning a police van into a makeshift taxi?
Raptor Rants
October 28, 2019 at 11:02
I shall try it out
G8crasha
October 28, 2019 at 11:28
The idea is solid, and it may curb some crime, but unfortunately, if the actual acts of policing are inadequate, this app will have limited effect on reducing crime.
But, I commend them for trying. Now they just need to take a look at their police officers!
HvR
October 28, 2019 at 12:52
Knowing SAPS, it cost R200 million out of SAPS budget at a R10 million month service fee and the backend is going to be in a non-working state by next week.
Problem isn’t reporting it is the severe lack of on the ground officers (soon to be reduced by a further 20 000 to 30 000) and the SAPS top brass that is filled with corrupt political appointees who have a firm engrained believe that they are above the constitution, the law and the courts. I mean every single member on the top 3 levels of SAPS have multiple court orders against them for ignoring sue process and court rulings.
Anon A Mouse
October 28, 2019 at 15:30
Anonymous they say. Yet they want complete access to your phone…
Erm, no…
This app has access to:
Device & app history
read sensitive log data
Identity
find accounts on the device
Contacts
find accounts on the device
Location
approximate location (network-based)
precise location (GPS and network-based)
access extra location provider commands
Phone
directly call phone numbers
read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files
read the contents of your USB storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage
read the contents of your USB storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera
take pictures and videos
Microphone
record audio
Wi-Fi connection information
view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information
read phone status and identity
Other
delete apps
directly install apps
control media playback and metadata access
close other apps
receive data from Internet
mock location sources for testing
view network connections
read battery statistics
full network access
change your audio settings
run at startup
prevent device from sleeping
install shortcuts