There are a set of rules and regulations in South Africa that govern the use of CCTV camera installations and footage usage. On this page, we have categorised the CCTV rules and regulations according to general, workplace, residential and also listed the actual legislations that regulate CCTV usage.
As a rule of thumb, CCTV footage should only be used to enhance safety, prevent crime, or monitor operations, and only when it respects the privacy of individuals and complies with POPIA.
The most common innocent use of CCTV in South Africa is home security and perimeter monitoring for residential areas, and access control or theft prevention for workplaces. Other than that, you should be very careful when deciding to install CCTV cameras, especially in shared spaces or near neighbouring properties.
Many companies have gotten into trouble for recording employees or the public without informing them, or using footage for purposes not originally stated. The fines for these unlawful acts can be severe, from penalties issued by the Information Regulator to civil lawsuits, and in some cases, criminal charges for breach of privacy laws.
General CCTV Rules and Regulations in South Africa
Below are the general CCTV rules and regulations in South Africa:
- You must notify the public that CCTV is being used — signs must be clearly displayed at entry points.
- CCTV may only be installed for legitimate purposes (crime prevention, safety, operational control).
- Footage may not be kept indefinitely — retention period must match the reason for collection (e.g. 30–90 days).
- CCTV should not point directly into private homes or spaces without consent.
- Do not install CCTV in areas where people expect privacy, like bathrooms, bedrooms, or changing rooms.
- You must restrict access to footage — only authorised personnel may view or retrieve it.
- Cloud storage must comply with POPIA — especially if using foreign-based servers.
- CCTV systems must be protected against hacking or unauthorised access.
- You cannot share footage on social media unless there’s legal justification or consent from all visible persons.
- Individuals have a right to request access to footage where they appear, within a reasonable time frame.
- Night vision or zoomed-in CCTV footage must still respect privacy and cannot be abused.
- Fake CCTV cameras can still be subject to legal challenges if used to intimidate or deceive.
- Landlords must inform tenants if communal areas are under surveillance.
- Body-worn cameras used by security guards must follow the same rules as static CCTV systems.
Workplace CCTV Rules and Regulations in South Africa
Below are the Workplace CCTV rules and Regulations in South Africa:
- You must disclose CCTV monitoring in employment contracts or company policies.
- Consent is not always needed, but disclosure is essential — this includes explaining why cameras are used.
- Monitoring staff without their knowledge is unlawful, except in special investigations approved by law.
- Surveillance must be proportional — only where there’s a valid operational, safety, or legal need.
- CCTV should not be used to track movement or time of employees, unless agreed upon.
- You must keep CCTV out of areas meant for personal use, including break rooms and prayer rooms.
- Employers may not use footage as sole evidence in dismissals — procedural fairness must still apply.
- Unionised workplaces may require consultation before cameras are installed.
- If biometric CCTV is used (facial recognition), this falls under “special personal information” and must follow stricter POPIA controls.
- Footage must not be used for non-work-related disciplinary actions, like watching personal conversations.
- Footage used in hearings must be authentic and untampered, with a clear chain of custody.
Residential Security CCTV Cameras Laws South Africa
Unlike in the workplace setting, the use of cameras around residential areas in South Africa is a bit more sensitive. This is because it involves not just your property, but possibly your neighbours, tenants, or even people walking past. This helps to reduce crime and gives peace of mind to many homeowners — but it can also go very wrong if not done lawfully.
When it comes to the invasion of privacy in the residential areas of South Africa, the most common cases involve landlord installing hidden cameras in the property without telling tenants and neighbours. This defeats the purpose of safety and crosses into surveillance abuse. Just imagine sitting in your private garden, having a personal conversation, and then realising your landlord has a camera pointing directly at your space. That is not security, it is spying.
When we talk about residential use of cameras, the issues usually involve two parties: the landlord and the tenant.
As a landlord, the rules allow you to install CCTV in shared external spaces for safety reasons, like the front gate, driveway, or main entrance. But the law strictly prohibits placing cameras inside the tenant’s rented space, or pointing into their private windows, rooms, or bathrooms.
On the other hand, as a tenant, you are not allowed to install cameras in a property you do not own without the written consent of the landlord. This is because the property belongs to the landlord, and they are the responsible party when it comes to privacy laws and security systems. Only the landlord can approve surveillance systems that are part of the fixed structure.
Residential security CCTV Camera Rules and Laws in South Africa:
- You must inform anyone on the property that CCTV is active — clear signage or written notice is required.
- CCTV must only be installed in public/shared areas, like outside gates, driveways, stairwells, or parking lots.
- No CCTV is allowed in bathrooms, bedrooms, or inside private rented areas — this is a serious privacy violation.
- The footage must not be shared publicly (e.g. on WhatsApp or social media) without legal reason or consent.
- If audio is recorded, full consent from all parties is required — otherwise, it’s illegal under RICA.
- Footage must be stored securely, with access limited to authorised persons only (usually the landlord or security company).
- Tenants have the right to ask about the CCTV system and request access to footage that involves them.
- Landlords must declare the presence of CCTV in the lease agreement or during the application process.
- Tenants may not install hidden or visible CCTV without written permission from the landlord.
- Neighbouring properties must not be monitored, even unintentionally — pointing a camera into someone else’s yard or home can result in legal action.
Relevant CCTV Laws and Acts in South Africa
Below are the most common and applicable CCTV Laws and Acts in South Africa:
- Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
Governs how personal data, including CCTV footage, must be collected, used, and protected. Consent, purpose limitation, and security safeguards are key. - Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA)
Prohibits unauthorised audio recording. You cannot record sound via CCTV without all-party consent. - The Constitution (Section 14)
Everyone has the right to privacy, including protection from unlawful surveillance. - The Labour Relations Act
Ensures employee rights are not violated through covert or disproportionate monitoring. - Criminal Procedure Act
CCTV footage may be used in court as evidence, but must be handled properly. - The Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act
Supports data integrity, especially in how digital footage is stored and transmitted. - Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA)
Any person or business offering CCTV installation or monitoring as a service must be registered with PSIRA. - Occupational Health and Safety Act
Allows surveillance in hazardous zones if it helps protect workers’ safety. - Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA)
Members of the public may request CCTV footage about themselves, subject to exemptions.
FAQs
What are the CCTV signage requirements in South Africa?
The law is clear: you must notify people that they are being recorded by CCTV. This falls under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Proper signage must be:
- Clearly visible at all entry points
- Written in plain language (no fine print)
- Should mention the purpose of the cameras (e.g. “This area is monitored for safety and crime prevention”)
- Optional but recommended: include who to contact for more info about the footage
If you fail to display signage, even if you think it’s “just for security”, you could still be held liable for breaching privacy laws.
Bellow are the messages you can use to indicate that there are cameras in the area:
“CCTV IN OPERATION: For Your Safety and Security”
“This Property is Under 24-Hour Surveillance”
“CCTV Monitoring Active, Footage May Be Used for Security Purposes”
“You Are Being Recorded, Security Cameras in Use”
“Smile! You Are on Camera – Monitored for Crime Prevention”
“CCTV Cameras Are Monitoring This Area, By Entering, You Consent to Recording”
“Security Notice: All Movements Are Being Recorded”
“This Complex is Protected by Video Surveillance”
“For Safety Reasons, This Area is Monitored by CCTV”
“Footage May Be Shared with Law Enforcement if Needed”
What does the law say about security cameras in sectional title complexes?
When it comes to sectional title complexes (townhouses), the law recognises that people live in close proximity — so the balance between security and privacy is critical.
The law restricts trustees or landlords from installing CCTV in private spaces, such as inside a unit or pointing into someone’s balcony or windows. That’s considered an invasion of privacy.
But it does allow CCTV cameras in communal areas, such as entrance gates, parking lots, shared corridors, and perimeter fences — as long as all residents are informed, and the cameras serve a legitimate security purpose.
Also, the Body Corporate must approve the installation, especially if it uses common property or shared budgets.
What are the laws on neighbours’ CCTV cameras in South Africa?
As discussed above, the South African law prevents neighbours from pointing CCTV cameras directly into your private property, like your bedroom window, bathroom, or garden.
This is backed up by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which clearly states that personal data (including your image or actions) may not be collected without your knowledge or consent.
Section 14 of the Constitution of South Africa also protects the right to privacy, which means that even if your neighbour says it’s “for safety”, they can’t invade your private life. You have the right to file a complaint with the Information Regulator or seek a court interdict to have the camera redirected or removed.
