Drone-enabled cops more effective, says Africa Drone Kings boss Vice Phiri

Just as a successful military depends on both a ground force and air force, the fight against South African crime requires air support to succeed. 

So says Vice Phiri, founder and chief executive of Africa Drone Kings, one of several private companies helping SAPS address crime in Philippi East via the use of sophisticated technology. 

Preliminary results suggest the intervention is working, although final results are only expected in October.  

But Phiri believes long-term success depends on a multi-pronged approach, with drones supported by 'boots on the ground'. "We've seen the results of that through Philippi East, where you realise that boots on the ground alone is not as effective as we would want them to be, and drones alone are not as effective as you we would want." 

Conversely, combining the two in a visible effort is far more effective, Phiri says. "You'd be surprised with the stats, mainly thanks to visibility – it is huge." 

This was particularly valuable in a context of a low ratio of police vs population, unlike many other countries with better police visibility. 

"What matters is the air force and ground force coming together, along with buy-in from the community."