Cape Town’s high-profile “Eye in the Sky” aerial surveillance project has been grounded after the City cancelled its contract over non-compliance, according to a Cape Argus exclusive.
The project had been promoted as a major crime-fighting tool aimed at helping officers tackle gang violence, robberies and other crimes from the air.
The City awarded the contract in December 2023. It was reportedly worth more than R100 million and attracted only one bidder.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith previously said the City was investing R610 million in safety technologies over three years.
He said the aircraft would use the Argos II camera system, developed by German company Hensoldt, and could help track gunmen and other suspects.
Smith confirms cancellation
Smith confirmed that the contract was cancelled in August 2025 after the service provider’s joint venture failed.
“In respect of the ‘Eye in the Sky’, unfortunately, the contract was cancelled in August 2025 because the service provider’s joint venture failed, which then made them non-compliant with various components of the contract,” Smith said.
He said the cancellation was not linked to aviation compliance.
Smith said the City was not at liberty to name the service provider.
He added that part of the remaining budget had been used to address safety and security budget shortfalls caused by unavoidable cost increases, including higher fuel prices.
Part of the budget has also been held over because the aerial surveillance technology procurement has been readvertised.
Watchdog questions transparency
STOP CoCT founder Sandra Dickson said residents deserved clearer answers about what happened to the project.
She said the City had heavily promoted Eye in the Sky as a major crime-fighting tool, but had not clearly told residents when the service ended, why it failed, how much was spent or what replaced it.
“Transparency cannot apply only when projects are launched successfully. It is even more important when they fail,” Dickson said.
According to Dickson’s timeline, the City advertised a new 36-month aerial surveillance tender on 15 May 2026, with the tender due to close on 18 June.
Activists demand answers
Cape Flats Safety Forum secretary Lynn Phillips questioned the cost and impact of the project, saying gang violence continued in communities.
Table View activist Philippe Roche also criticised the handling of the matter after questioning why the aircraft had not been deployed in his area following violent crimes.
He said the project had been launched with “big fanfare” but residents were left with little information when it failed.