Eyerus App Triumphs in Protecting South Africans with Innovative Crime-Fighting Technology

In the ongoing battle against the escalating crime rates in South Africa, a beacon of hope shines in the form of the Eyerus app. This innovative safety application is designed to not only protect individuals in real-time but also to collect and secure evidence that can aid in crime prosecution. The app responds to the dire need for reliable tools in the fight against crime, particularly offenses that disproportionately affect women and children.

Eyerus was inspired by the global concern for the safety of the vulnerable, a concern amplified when the "Bring back our girls" campaign echoed around the world following the abduction of 276 students by Boko Haram in Nigeria. The app's co-founder, Sibusiso Mbhele, viewed this as a call to action.

From its inception, the app's development has been driven by the necessity to overcome a critical obstacle in crime prevention: the lack of sufficient evidence to support legal action. Through extensive market validation, the team behind Eyerus identified that victims often refrained from approaching the police due to insufficient proof of the crime. Addressing this, Eyerus ensures that the evidence it collects, including time-stamped audio and video recordings, is admissible in a court of law.

Eyerus stands out through its seamless operation and ease of use. Users can easily express their sense of security via the app's four alert modes, ranging from green for safety to blue, which dispatches armed emergency services. Its proactive features can also detect when a user has been incapacitated, taking charge by alerting designated guardians and authorities.

In less than two years, the first version of Eyerus was launched, and since then, it has continuously evolved to meet market needs. With new updates on the horizon, including a "jog safe mode" and "travel safe mode," the app's developers demonstrate their commitment to innovation and adapting to users' lifestyles.

Eyerus's effectiveness and potential haven't gone unnoticed. It has garnered prestigious accolades, including the Best South African Solution at the 2022 MTN Business App of the Year Awards and the Most Innovative Solution at the 2023 edition. Significantly, it earned the Innovation Award 2023 at Africa’s Travel Indaba, reflecting the trust placed in it by the travel industry.

While Eyerus has captivated various government departments with its potential to combat crime effectively, bureaucratic processes have hindered its full integration into official crime-fighting arsenals. Yet, the app already boasts notable success stories, having facilitated legal proceedings with evidence collection and providing assistance in emergencies.

Despite financial challenges and data affordability issues in South Africa, which affect the app's uptake, the team is hopeful for future collaborations with networks for zero-rating Eyerus, to enhance accessibility for users.

While past partnerships with public figures like Rob Bentele have evolved, Eyerus's trajectory remains upwards. Its strategic plans include customized white labeling for organizations, enhancing its attractiveness to employers and insurance companies seeking to offer added benefits to clients or employees.

Looking beyond the South African borders, Eyerus's scalability positions it as a viable solution for countries across the SADC region, Middle East, India, United Kingdom, and Mexico, all grappling with similar security challenges.

As Sibusiso Mbhele and the GreenEye consortium continue to pioneer this empire of crime-fighting apps, they not only pave the way for a safer South Africa but also a potentially safer world through innovative technology.