A reply by the Police Ministry has revealed that one car battery reportedly cost R15 000 for a police vehicle.

The reply further reveals that R1.9 million has been spent over the past two financial years by the Free State police service. The reply to Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament, George Michalakis, also stated that more than R12 million was spent on 1814 tyres in the same period.

“On an average, R6 600 was spent to buy one tyre,” Michalakis added.

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The Police Ministry previously revealed that it could take more than a month to replace the battery of a police vehicle in the province or more than four months just to inspect one, leaving hundreds of official police vehicles out of circulation.

While some police stations were without vehicles, multiple vehicles have been gathering dust, waiting to be repaired for weeks. The information was made know when a question was asked about the number of police vehicles allocated to each station in the Free State, and how many are operational or in for repairs. The reply further detailed that half of the fleet allocated to two police stations in the province have been standing idle waiting to be repaired.

The stations in question are the Hertzogville and Bultfontein police stations. At the time, a total of ten police vehicles had been allocated to Hertzogville, but five were out of commission. One vehicle has been in for repairs for four months. At the Bultfontein police station, 9 of its fleet of 17 vehicles are waiting to be repaired.

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During a visit by the MEC for Police, Roads, and Transport -William Bulwane - to Kutlwanong Police Station in Odendaalsrus, the shortage of police vehicles was highlighted. Police who work at the station said that other vehicles have been in for services for some time, while residents are left stranded due to a lacking police fleet. Bulwane was told that some of these vehicles need a battery, others only need new tyres, while one police vehicle is without blue lights.

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At the end of the visit, Bulwane, made a promise to make arrangements with relevant stakeholders to see what can be done. It is at the moment unclear whether the promise has been fulfilled.

An inquiry was sent to the SAPS in the Free State for a comment.

OFM News