The present invention relates to a braking apparatus and an elevator system comprising the braking apparatus for grasping or gripping a hoisting rope of the elevator. The system comprises a pair of brake shoes, a motorized rotatable camshaft with at least one cam surface for pressing against a push plate to compress a spring means and keep the shoes apart or when the motor is disengaged cause the cam shaft to not push on the push plate such that the springs expand cause the brake shoes to come together and grip the hoisting rope.