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Thursday, December 11, 2008.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Shannon O'Donnell.

Making headlines today:

On Wednesday, the City of Johannesburg officially launched its new hi-tech closed circuit television control centre. This is part of a state-of-the-art surveillance system worth some R42-million. It is focused on combating crime in the inner city.

The surveillance system consists of an interactive network of 216 cameras surveying a 50-km radius from the control centre. It is installed and operated by Omega Risk Solutions, and managed by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.

The centre is integrated with reaction units from the JMPD, South African Police Service, and emergency services.

The number of criminals apprehended has increased dramatically since using the new surveillance system.

Gauteng MEC for Public Safety Firoz Cachalia:

(audio clip)

State-owned transport utility Transnet has submitted an application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa requesting a material tariff increase for its fuel-pipelines unit for 2009/10. This is in a bid to facilitate a 74% revenue increase at Transnet Pipelines.

The group claims the rise is necessary to enable it to cover the costs and raise the necessary debt for the construction of the R12-billion new multi-product pipeline.

Such an increase, should it be granted, would translate into a rise of 10 c/l between Durban and Gauteng, and varying increases for other routes on the existing network. But, the utility stressed that the costs associated with the transportation of fuel by Transnet Pipelines constituted only a "small part of the overall price of fuel", which it estimated to be 3,1% after the proposed tariff increase.

Nersa confirmed receipt of the application, which had already been discussed by its petroleum pipelines subcommittee.

Also making headlines:

Neotel secures R7,5-billion to fund its infrastructure roll-out.
The final launch date is set for South Africa's Sumbandila satellite.
Global brewer SABMiller will be Sudan's first brewer in 25 years.
And, South Africa and Sweden approve grants for 24 research projects.

That's a round up of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories please visit engineeringnews.co.za.