Cape Town’s gunshot detection technology contract has come to an end and is now under review, as violent crime continues to hit several communities across the city.

The development follows a Cape Argus report that the City’s “Eye in the Sky” aerial surveillance contract was cancelled in August 2025 due to non-compliance.

The City’s ShotSpotter system, now known as SoundThinking, was first launched as a pilot project in Hanover Park in 2016.

The technology was later deployed in areas including Hanover Park, Manenberg and Lavender Hill.

It used acoustic gunshot detection technology and drones to help pinpoint shooting incidents.

JP Smith says tender ran its course

Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the three-year gunshot detection technology tender had ended.

“The three-year gunshot detection technology tender has run its course and is currently under review,” Smith said.

He said the system had been useful in alerting staff to active shooting incidents.

Smith said the data also helped identify hotspots, guide deployment patterns and shape focus areas.

In 2023, the City said it was investing about R860 million over three years in safety technology.

That included CCTV cameras, drones, body cameras, dashcams, aerial surveillance and gunshot detection systems.

Watchdogs question impact

The end of the ShotSpotter contract has raised concern among crime-fighting groups.

Fight Against Crime SA executive director Jay Jay Idel said communities were entitled to ask whether the technology achieved what it was meant to do.

“The City promoted the technology as a tool to detect gunfire and improve responses to firearm-related crime,” Idel said.

He said the contract’s end raised questions about its purpose, effectiveness and value.

The concern comes as Cape Town continues to battle high levels of violence, with several areas regularly ranking among the country’s worst for crimes such as murder and attempted murder.

New aerial tender underway

Smith also confirmed that the City’s process for a new aerial surveillance tender is under way, but said the City was not at liberty to share more details.

The Cape Argus reported that this relates to a new 36-month aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tender advertised between 15 May and 18 June 2026.

STOP CoCT founder Sandra Dickson questioned whether the new tender had been designed differently to avoid problems seen in the failed Eye in the Sky contract.

Smith said the City had gained valuable operational insights from the earlier project that could help optimise future aerial capabilities.