According to the DA’s Andrew Whitfield, up to 26% of visible policing and 23% of detectives’ vehicles in certain provinces are inoperable, leaving victims of crime stranded and vulnerable. “These distressing statistics echo the desperate cries from communities across South Africa who say that they never see a police vehicle. Visible policing plays a crucial role in deterring and preventing crime. 

“When SAPS is visible, criminals are less likely to engage in unlawful activities. Additionally, detectives who are instrumental in solving violent crimes, should not have to worry about a shortage of vehicles in order to reach crime scenes for investigations,” Whitfield said.

Minister of Police, Bheki Cele's parliamentary reply to the DA's question. 

ALSO READ: Police vans gathering dust at repair shops

OFM News has previously reported that it could take more than a month to replace the battery of a police van in the Free State, or more than four months just to inspect one, leaving hundreds of official police vehicles out of circulation. Minister Bheki Cele said in reply to a written question from the DA’s George Michalakis tabled in parliament, that multiple police vehicles in the Free State have been gathering dust, waiting to be repaired for weeks.

ALSO READ: Police vehicles in the spotlight

A different reply by Cele showed that one car battery for a police vehicle reportedly cost R15 000. The reply further outlined that R1.9 million has been spent over the past two financial years by the Free State police service. The reply to Michalakis also stated that more than R12 million was spent on 1 814 tyres in the same period. “On an average, R6 600 was spent to buy one tyre,” Michalakis said.

ALSO READ: Hundreds of new police vehicles baking in the sun - PHOTOS

Cele further detailed that half of the fleet allocated to Hertzogville and Bultfontein police stations in the province have been standing idle waiting to be repaired. Ten police vehicles had been allocated to Hertzogville, but five were out of commission, with one vehicle having been in for repairs for four months. At the Bultfontein police station, nine of its fleet of 17 vehicles are waiting to be repaired.

ALSO READ: #OperationPhethisa: Free State police stations to get new fleet

Various police stations in the Free State received new vehicles months after the shortage of vehicles was placed in the spotlight. A hundred SAPS vehicles were handed over at Bobbiespark in Bloemfontein late last year by the former Free State provincial premier Sisi Ntombela. More than 100 vehicles that were procured during the last financial year were still standing at the provincial warehouse waiting to be dispersed. It is currently unclear whether the vehicles that will be handed over on Tuesday are the same ones that were reported to be standing in the sun for over a year.

OFM News