Pretoria: The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Nomalungelo Gina, will lead a briefing to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. The focus of the briefing will be on the advanced defense and security technologies developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

According to South African Government News Agency, this critical session will highlight how science and innovation contribute to national safety and security across land, sea, air, and cyber domains while also addressing urgent social challenges such as gender-based violence (GBV). A key highlight of the briefing will be the CSIR’s partnership with Memeza, a social enterprise founded by survivors of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

This collaboration aims to develop and roll out community-based safety alarm systems, mobile panic applications, and integrated technologies linked to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and community policing forum (CPF) networks. A pilot project in Diepsloot led to a 26% reduction in sexual violence and complete crime prevention in alarm-equipped homes.

In addition, the CSIR will present its work in cybersecurity, digital forensics, command-and-control platforms for disaster response, and forensic DNA support to the SAPS, demonstrating how local innovation is safeguarding the country and empowering vulnerable communities.