FLOWER POWER

by way of counter-application.

R2K’s organiser Floyd Nkosi argues that the intrusive nature of the video surveillance in public spaces required an existence of an enabling legal framework which includes appropriate safeguards to protect, among others, the rights to privacy, freedom of movement and freedom of association.

“This framework currently does not exist and the sole reliance on the Protection of Personal Information Act by [Vumacam] is insufficient. It is accordingly not in the interest of justice to grant the relief sought by [Vumacam] in relation to the present wayleave applications at this stage … [and that] a dichotomy need not exist between privacy and security and an appropriate balance should be struck between these competing interests,” Nkosi states in his affidavit.

He submits that despite Vumacam’s averments to the contrary, the decision to approve the installation of a network of video surveillance cameras in public spaces raised important questions of privacy, public participation and the chilling effect that video surveillance has on constitutional rights to, among others, freedom of movemet and association.

“It also relates to just administrative action and the transparency of the process,” he submitted.

R2K is set to launch a constitutional challenge to the saga, seeking an order not only to switch off the existing cameras, but to completely tear down the existing infrastructure.

Vumacam, through its lawyers, is against R2K admitted as friends of the court in the matter, and will file its answering affidavit by end of today.

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It also relates to just administrative action and the transparency of the process.

Floyd Nkosi Right2Know organiser

made several calls to various outlets asking for quotes on a bulk deal for tablets. At an average of R4 800 a tablet, the amount for 55 000 tablets came to R264 million, with an option for a discount.

If the department really wanted to splurge, they could even afford to buy the luxurious iPad 10.2-inch model with Wi-Fi, for R6 999 each, which is R201 cheaper than the current deal.

These prices also do not include the potential bulk-buying discounts.

Numerous attempts to contact the department were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

Picture: Neil McCartney Ennie Makgoba sits among flowers at Charlotte Maxeke hospital, placed by Ubuntu Beds, a non-profit organisation, to honour health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.