Procurement of 209 new vehicles to Gauteng police welcomed

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The Gauteng provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety has welcomed the procurement of 209 new vehicles for the police service in the province.

This follows the official handing over of new fleet on Wednesday to be used to fight crime this festive season with most going to Johannesburg, while other areas are getting cars based on what they need.

Delivering his address, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said police now have no excuse for failing to fight crime after getting many resources in the past eighteen months.

“In the last 18 months, SAPS received three helicopters, 700 new cars, 12,000 CCTV cameras, over 12,000 community police wardens and five mobile incident command centres to support their work to fight crime in the province,” he remarked.

Lesufi added that these resources have improved how men and women in blue respond to crime and criminals and they are seeing the positive results.

Chairperson of the committee, Bandile Masuku said the hand over represent a significant step towards addressing long-standing challenges in the fight against crime and lawlessness in the province.

He highlighted that they have consistently raised concerns about the detrimental impact of insufficient vehicles on effective crime prevention and the ability of police to respond to crime incidents timeously.

“The lack of an adequate number of vehicles in police stations has often hindered their ability to be visible in communities, respond promptly to emergencies, and ensure the safety of Gauteng residents.

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“The committee is of the view that the deployment of these 209 vehicles will undoubtedly enhance police visibility and operational capacity, allowing law enforcement to intensify their efforts to combat crime in high-priority areas.

“By equipping officers with the necessary resources, this initiative will not only improve response times but also strengthen community trust in the Police service,” he expressed.

Masuku applauded this investment in public safety, emphasizing that effective crime-fighting efforts require a well-resourced police service adding that the move demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing crime proactively and prioritizing the safety of all Gauteng residents.

Vehicles must be strategically deployed

He continued; “We urge premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni to ensure that these vehicles are strategically deployed where they are most needed and that regular maintenance is undertaken to avoid future shortages.

“Furthermore, the committee calls on communities to support law enforcement efforts by fostering strong partnerships with police in their areas.”

Masuku stated that they[committee] remain committed to its oversight role and will continue to monitor the implementation of this intervention to ensure its sustained impact on reducing crime in the province.