South Africa: Nelson Mandela Bay's Crime-Fighting 'Loerbroer' Could Soon Return to Spy On Criminals

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a Daily Maverick report by Kyran Blaauw, says Nelson Mandela Bay’s R6-million mobile surveillance vehicle, known as Loerbroer, may return to service as soon as August 2026 after being out of action for almost five years. Councillors were updated at a safety and security portfolio committee meeting on Friday, 24 July, where Luyanda Lawu, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the vehicle was working again, though some parts were still expected.

The mobile surveillance vehicle was acquired before the 2010 Fifa World Cup and was promoted as a major public-safety asset. According to the report, it was later sidelined by a defective camera, ageing software and other technical problems. The vehicle is intended to help authorities monitor crimes such as cable theft and vandalism, using long-range, 360-degree surveillance equipment that can operate in different weather and lighting conditions.

Daily Maverick reported that Loerbroer’s technology is capable of detecting a person at distances of up to 10km and identifying someone carrying a firearm from about 3km away. The update came in response to questions from Democratic Alliance councillor Gustav Rautenbach, with acting executive director for safety and security Shadrack also referenced in the report.

The development matters because the metro has faced criticism over crime-fighting capacity and spending, while expensive security equipment has remained unused. However, the report also notes that Nelson Mandela Bay’s gunshot detection system is still stalled, and officials have not given a timeframe for when it may be restored.