Gunshot detection technology leads to 54% recovery of firearms in Cape Town
During the three months between April and June 2025, the four areas where the gunshot detection technology is deployed, accounted for 54% of all firearms recovered by City enforcement agencies.
Image: File
Within three months, four areas where gunshot detection technology was deployed, 54% of firearms were recovered.
This is according to the City of Cape Town which said this was achieved between April and June 2025.
The City’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments confiscated 57 firearms between April and June this year; 34 imitation and homemade firearms, and 644 rounds of ammunition.
Of these, 31 firearms, 18 imitation and homemade firearms and 467 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the ShotSpotter deployment areas of Manenberg, Hanover Park, Nyanga and Steenberg.
Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith explained: "The data underpins the value of the gunshot detection technology which enables more frequent, rapid, and precise responses.
"And, by revealing patterns of gunfire, such as time of day or week, and geographic hotspots, it helps law enforcement allocate limited resources more efficiently and effectively."
Smith said in the past financial year, (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025), ShotSpotter detected 3 893 alerts with a total of 9 223 rounds fired.
"This is a 30% reduction compared to the previous year when 5 770 alerts and 14 181 rounds fired were recorded," Smith added.
"Across the four coverage areas, 40% of all gunfire occurred on just 20 streets per suburb. In Lavender Hill, that figure was at 58%.
"The narrative that gunshot detection technology can, or should directly prevent gang violence is both unrealistic and counterproductive.
"ShotSpotter cannot stop a person from pulling a trigger any more than a fire detector can stop a fire from igniting.
"What it does provide is awareness. And without that awareness, the vast majority of gunfire goes unreported, leaving law enforcement blind."
Smith said the gunshot detection is just one tool in the public safety toolbox, along with proactive policing, crime prevention technologies, social development programmes, infrastructure investments, job opportunities and learnerships.
It remains the low hanging fruit that detractors aim for, instead of asking the more pertinent questions, like what national enforcement and prosecution agencies are doing to:
- stem the flow of guns onto our streets
- address the delays with ballistics and DNA testing to further investigations
- fill critical vacancies in the SAPS detectives branch so that firearm-related cases can be effectively investigated.
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