SaferCity: The future of urban safety in South Africa

South Africa is a beautiful country, rich in spirit and promise, yet fear has become part of daily life for many of its people. Crime continues to erode the sense of safety that communities once knew. Parents worry as children grow up behind walls and gates, while ordinary citizens think twice before walking the streets at night or driving on highways where hijackings, spikings and stone throwing are regular threats. Beneath the fear lies a shared dream — of safer neighbourhoods, freedom of movement and dignity without danger. In this fragile space between fear and hope, companies such as SaferCity are stepping in.

As criminals adapt and become more organised, traditional approaches to safety are no longer enough. A smarter, more connected way of protecting people, businesses and public spaces is required and that is where SaferCity makes its mark.

Servamus recently spoke to Theo Pouroullis, the SaferCity CEO, who shed light on how technology-driven solutions are helping to reshape urban safety. Mr Pouroullis explained that SaferCity is built on an internationally recognised concept implemented in cities around the world. At its core, the model combines advanced technology with specialised skillsets to create safer, more connected cities.

The SaferCity concept evolved from years of on-the-ground security experience, where practical challenges highlighted the need for smarter, more integrated systems. The idea of creating safer cities was conceived several years ago, but SaferCity (Pty) Ltd was formally established as a standalone company in 2022 and its technology platform was officially launched in October 2023. Over time, the organisation expanded its focus to include cutting-edge technology, significantly enhancing the impact that coordinated safety efforts can have. Central to this approach is the unification of Community Policing Forums (CPFs), law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS and Metro Police Department, private security companies and local communities. The company is registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) and operates as part of the BI Protection Group, which has been delivering security services to clients for more than 30 years.

SaferCity functions as a unified safety ecosystem, using AI-driven technology to connect citizens, institutions and emergency services. By integrating resources into a single technology platform, the system enables faster responses and more effective coordination, contributing to safer cities and, ultimately, a safer world.

According to Mr Pouroullis, SaferCity's primary objectives are to reduce crime, assist victims of crime and gender-based violence, and create safer environments for both businesses and citizens through technology and strategic partnerships. These goals are achieved through a wide range of integrated technologies. SaferCity has deployed a network of smart cameras linked into its central system, including cameras integrated with the SAPS's wanted vehicles database. The ecosystem also incorporates smart monitoring systems, such as tamper-detection devices on substations and critical infrastructure, as well as fixed panic buttons installed on camera poles. These "panic poles" allow members of the public to instantly alert the SaferCity network in an emergency.

Beyond public spaces, SaferCity supports business complexes, universities and other large facilities by integrating their camera systems into the broader network. The platform is also linked to provincial CPF patroller networks. When armed robberies occur and private security companies are already on scene and awaiting state role-players, SaferCity can facilitate rapid escalation and coordination with emergency services.

Behind the scenes, SaferCity operates with a full-time development team that continually refines and expands the platform. The team manages more than 50 active development projects, known as change requests, driven by feedback from partners and clients. The result is a constantly evolving application supported by a robust technology ecosystem, designed to improve how assistance is delivered to members of the public in distress.

SaferCity leverages a vast network of more than 4 000 private response vehicles and 850 ambulances, excluding public emergency services, ensuring rapid assistance wherever needed. The organisation has partnered with over 500 Community Policing Forums across Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, bringing corporates into a powerful, technology-enabled safety network. SaferCity's active response coverage extends across South Africa and Kenya, with plans for expansion into other African and international markets.

By merging technology, partnerships and community involvement, SaferCity aims to demonstrate that safer cities are achievable, even in the face of South Africa's unique crime challenges.

The command centre

Every day, SaferCity processes more than 100 reported incidents through its systems, continuously evolving to meet the growing security challenges faced by communities. The organisation is committed to enhancing its platforms to tackle serious issues such as kidnapping, gender-based violence and crimes targeting society's most vulnerable, including children and the elderly.

From its command-and-control centre in Bruma, Johannesburg, SaferCity serves an expanding client base with real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities. This Advanced Command Centre acts as the hub for this operation, overseeing everything from panic alerts and patrols to licence plate recognition hits and live CCTV feeds. Staffed 24/7 by highly trained operators, the centre enables instant coordination, live tracking and efficient situation management. It is, in effect, the brain behind faster decision-making, smarter security measures and ultimately, safer communities.

The panic app

For Mr Pouroullis, SaferCity's technology platform is not just innovative, it is unique. At its heart lies a sophisticated panic and medical emergency alert system, linked with an artificial intelligence system for the analysis and processing of reported crimes, categorisation and predictive analysis, a core feature from the company's inception that continues to define its offerings.

The system is simple yet powerful. When a user presses the panic button, an immediate alert is sent to the SaferCity Command Centre. The control room team receives the precise location of the user, quickly verifies the emergency and dispatches armed response units to the scene. If the panic alert is triggered, the control room first contacts the person and requests a safe word. If the user does not respond or provide a safe word, an armed vehicle is dispatched, typically arriving within three to six minutes. The system boasts an impressive location accuracy of 5 to 50 m.

SaferCity's technology integrates artificial intelligence for its crime prediction ecosystem linked to the CPF and community feeds and additional cutting-edge features such as SIRI PANIC, GSM tracking, wearables and family panic alerts, tools exclusive to the platform. Users can choose between smart panic devices and smart wearable devices, both equipped with their own SIM cards. Unlike the app, which only activates tracking when the panic button is pressed, the wearable devices can be tracked 24/7, catering to users who want constant monitoring, especially valuable for children and the elderly.

Each physical device is synchronised with the app, creating a tracking group that monitors both the device and the user's phone. This ensures that if, as an example, a child or elderly person triggers a panic alert and is separated from their phone, responders can still locate them. The device pings the control room every 30 seconds when activated, and every 60 seconds in normal mode, allowing responders to track movement and dispatch the nearest unit to the person in distress.

Free, Basic and Premium plans

In a country where kidnapping and hijacking have become daily threats, SaferCity is offering a range of safety solutions designed to give peace of mind, whether at home, on the road, at school or out in the community. All the plans use the SaferCity App, which can be downloaded for free on smartphones. Physical safety devices, such as panic buttons and wearables, require a once-off purchase.

For those not ready to pay, the Free Plan provides essential safety tools, including: reporting a crime, viewing crime hotspots on a map, the "Track Me" feature, access to GBV and mental wellness help desks, CPF/organisation support, and community alerts and chat.

The Basic Plan, priced at R36 per person or R70 for two, adds life-saving features: panic and medical alerts sent directly to the user's GPS location, crime reporting with CPF referral support, tracking of loved ones, staff or drivers, and access to GBV, well-being and CPF help desks.

For those wanting comprehensive protection, the Premium Plan costs R70 per person or R135 for two, including all the basic features, as well as roadside assistance, legal aid, home assistance (plumber, electrician, locksmith, pest control, bee removal, tree felling) and home drive with five trips per year within a 40 km radius if the user's vehicle experiences mechanical issues.

Both the Basic and Premium plans offer family plans. For a family of six, the Premium Plan costs R380 per month, offering affordable security in an unpredictable environment.

Family tracking and proactive panic

On the family plan subscriptions, each smart device (smartphone, wearable or physical panic button), added to a user's account can be tracked within the family group. If someone triggers a panic alert under a family subscription, the primary subscriber receives an instant notification specifying the type of emergency, whether it is a general panic or a medical issue. This informs that family member immediately that someone in the group is in distress.

The physical panic button is particularly valuable for children at schools, where many schools have adopted a "no cellphone policy" or when they go on excursions, providing parents with much-needed peace of mind. The platform's family-focussed functionalities have evolved based on customer feedback. Sub-users can adjust settings for sensitive situations, such as gender-based violence, ensuring privacy while still receiving emergency assistance.

One of the platform's standout features is that someone on the family subscription can trigger a panic alert on someone else's (who is part of the family group) behalf. In a scenario where a teenager goes out and enters an Uber but does not answer their phone, a parent can still see their location. If there is reason for concern, the parent can trigger a panic alert on their child's behalf. The control room then attempts to contact the teen, and if there is still no response, a response vehicle is dispatched to their location.

According to Mr Pouroullis, this level of proactive, real-time protection is unique, designed specifically for South Africa by SaferCity, with no equivalent anywhere else in the world.

The physical panic devices also feature fall detection, automatically triggering a panic if the wearer, typically wearing the device around their neck, suffers a heart attack, seizure or accidental fall. The control room is immediately notified and dispatches a response vehicle to the person's location.

Branded apps and help desks

Mr Pouroullis noted that SaferCity also offers self-branded apps for corporates, such as mining companies, schools and universities. These customised platforms provide access to unique emergency statistics while reinforcing awareness of available safety options for staff and clients, along with integrated chat desks and community groups. Each app is fully branded, with the organisation's logo and identity built directly into the platform.

SaferCity has also introduced a GBV help desk within the app, providing immediate text-based support for victims of gender-based or domestic violence. In emergencies, users can press the panic button, connecting them to government emergency services through the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units. This service is free and fully integrated into the app.

The platform also features a Wellness Desk focussing on mental health, a growing concern in society and corporate environments. In partnership with PsychMatters, SaferCity provides access to accredited call centre agents, social workers and psychologists who assess each case, determine urgency and recommend appropriate measures. The Wellness Desk offers confidential support for stress, anxiety and other personal challenges. Users can opt for follow-up consultations, and if ongoing therapy is required, video sessions are available nationwide at an additional cost. Importantly, the initial assessment and support for users experiencing anxiety or depression are included as part of the app, ensuring immediate help when it is most needed.

Missing persons

In November 2025, SaferCity formed a partnership with the Vulnerable Citizens Support Initiative (VCSI), a missing persons organisation affiliated with the Civilian Crime Intelligence Network (CCIN), a public-private partnership linking law enforcement, private security and community networks. The collaboration aims to streamline the process of reporting and locating missing persons.

Previously, families and concerned citizens had to complete forms manually and send them to VCSI, a time-consuming and cumbersome process. Using tech, SaferCity has introduced an automated system through its app, giving users access to a dedicated link, where they can fill in the required information, and upload a photo of the missing person. This data is then sent directly to VCSI for review. Once the review has been completed, the user presses a button to automatically approve the official form, simplifying the process for VCSI staff. The completed form is then sent back to the family member who originally submitted it for final approval before publication. Cases are also managed and documents can be uploaded as the case develops. Statistical incident data is analysed in SaferCity's AI Crime Management System to create hotspots for incidents relating to crime.

"With this system, we've seen very promising results in locating missing persons." Theo Pouroullis, SaferCity CEO

With a reach of 30 million people throughout Africa and the Middle East, CCIN, VCSI and SaferCity are transforming how missing persons cases are handled, making the process faster, more efficient and more effective.

Risk management dashboard

SaferCity has unveiled a cutting-edge risk management dashboard designed for corporates and security companies, allowing them to monitor their staff or clients' safety around the clock. Through the platform, panic alerts can be tracked 24/7, giving organisations immediate visibility while SaferCity coordinates the dispatch of the closest responder to the user's exact location.

The dashboard not only tracks alerts but also monitors movement, a feature particularly valuable in high-risk environments such as mining. Personnel travelling to and from mines, where hijackings and kidnappings remain a concern, can activate panic buttons, enabling real-time tracking and rapid response. Upon reaching the scene, responders compile detailed incident reports, which are stored in SaferCity's database. This data contributes to heat maps and statistical analyses of incidents, helping organisations better understand risk patterns.

Crime reporting feature

SaferCity is transforming the way communities monitor and respond to crime with a comprehensive, data-driven approach. At its heart, the platform is a crime reporting feature that allows users to log incidents directly through the app, providing authorities and security teams with real-time data and statistics on crimes by type and location. Users select from the SAPS crime categories, such as murder, robbery and hijacking, while an additional option for illegal mining helps communities report and track these activities.

Beyond reporting, SaferCity leverages AI-powered dashboards and analytics, offering corporates and organisations detailed crime insights. When a user submits a report, complete with location, video or images, the platform creates a "crime hotspot". Using GPS data, the app can notify users if they are within a 1 km radius of an area where, for example, five hijackings occurred in the past 30 days. This Hotspot Indicator alerts residents to high-risk zones, enabling them to remain vigilant and keep safety measures, like panic buttons, ready if necessary.

SaferCity also features a detailed mapping system, aggregating data from multiple sources. Through the CPF, Community and CCIN networks, SaferCity collects around 100 verified crime reports daily. Control administrators review each report to ensure accuracy before it is pinpointed on the public map. Importantly, personal details and the identities of reporters or victims are never disclosed. Areas with more than ten reported incidents are marked in red to indicate high risk, while less affected zones appear in subdued colours. Users can filter maps by crime type, location and date, accessing historical data for the past seven or 30 days.

Recognising the global dominance of WhatsApp, used by an estimated 3.6 billion people or nearly 40% of the world's population, SaferCity launched its AI Crime Bot in January 2026. This feature allows users to report crimes via WhatsApp, with the bot guiding them through categorisation before submission. Reports can be made anonymously or openly and are fed into SaferCity's AI crime ecosystem.

CPF partnerships

Across South Africa, CPFs are entering a new era of crime prevention, because of an innovative partnership with SaferCity. As key collaborators, CPFs are at the heart of this initiative, beginning with the Gauteng Provincial CPF ecosystem.

"These volunteers patrol their communities day and night, driven purely by the desire to make their neighbourhoods safer." Theo Pouroullis on the role of CPFs

Gauteng alone has 145 CPFs, each with varying levels of activity and participation. The partnership leverages technology to enhance the reach and effectiveness of these volunteers. CPFs now have WhatsApp-based Joint Operations Centres (JOCs), allowing them to instantly request fire and rescue, ambulance or police support in emergencies. SaferCity handles the dispatching of emergency vehicles, creating a streamlined response system unique in its integration of volunteers, technology and security operators.

Institutions such as universities and financial organisations that subscribe to SaferCity's services contribute to local CPFs, funding critical technology like AI-powered CCTV systems to strengthen crime prevention efforts. The technology for CPFs is designed to be user-friendly yet powerful. Volunteers can sign on and off duty, respond to alerts, and be dispatched to fixed locations. CPFs can even dispatch their own patrollers independently of the SaferCity control room.

Funding for CPFs is structured through the SaferCity App: subscribers can select their preferred CPF, and SaferCity contributes R4.35 per user per month. Half of this revenue goes towards installing cameras, LPR and overview systems, owned and operated by SaferCity, with CPFs deciding placement. The remaining funds are used to procure equipment such as bulletproof vests, reflective jackets, radios, panic buttons and for software licences. CPFs with patrollers also receive free SaferCity licensing for a certain number of members.

Corporate partnerships at scale

Corporate partnerships further amplify the initiative. MTN, for example, has collaborated with the Gauteng Provincial JOC to monitor infrastructure in Soweto, establishing a mini-JOC at Protea Glen Police Station. Volunteers equipped with panic buttons can instantly alert authorities to vandalism or security threats. Similar programmes have been introduced in the Eastern Cape, where hijackings are prevalent, and more recently in KwaZulu-Natal. Across these projects, SaferCity has provided halo radios, 30 in the Eastern Cape and 60 in KZN, allowing volunteers to communicate even in network blind spots, alongside panic button integration within the SaferCity ecosystem.

The broader plan is ambitious: MTN, in collaboration with provincial JOCs and SaferCity, intends to roll out this model nationwide. Discussions are also underway with other telecommunications companies, including Vodacom, to replicate the approach. Corporates are effectively funding technology that enhances community safety, while CPF volunteers gain real-time tools to report incidents via the SaferCity App or WhatsApp bot.

Investigations and overview cameras

SaferCity has expanded its operations to strengthen human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities for corporate clients, complementing its existing technology-driven data systems. The Command Centre currently monitors more than 1 500 overview cameras nationwide, with numbers steadily increasing through partnerships with Vumacam, Snipr, Syntell, Navic and local CPFs. The network also extends to the country's borders, enabling research and surveillance at key entry and exit points.

Through collaborations with security companies within its network, SaferCity gains access to additional private security companies' cameras, creating a comprehensive monitoring system instrumental in tracking criminals and locating kidnapped victims. Each year, the network contributes to the recovery of more than 300 stolen vehicles, a figure that continues to grow. Joint operations between SaferCity, law enforcement and its security partners lead to the arrest of an average of 50 criminals per month. These efforts target serious offences, including murder, hijacking, kidnapping, house and business robberies, illegal mining and drug trafficking.

Case study — January 2026 Kensington shooting

An example of how teamwork yielded results happened in the first half of January 2026 following an assassination that claimed the life of a motorist outside Pick n Pay's head office in Kensington — the passenger survived. After the hit, by using footage from nearby cameras and eyewitness accounts, private security, the Bedfordview and Cleveland CPFs and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) quickly mobilised. SaferCity's intelligence ecosystem tracked a white sedan matching the description through multiple camera feeds. Despite the busy intersection lacking direct coverage of the shooting itself, the network helped narrow down the potential vehicles from 20 to just one. This information was relayed to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response team.

Article credit: Kotie Geldenhuys, Servamus Community-based Safety & Security Magazine, March 2026 issue. Reproduced with the publisher's permission. Photos in the original article courtesy of SaferCity.