Police spokesperson Loraine Earle said the welcoming ceremony of the police officers will be a parallel event with the official launch of Operation Shanela in the province, following the national launch by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele. The provincial commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, provincial premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, and MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae will be present.

The event will be held at Bobbiespark, Bloemfontein, from 10:00. “The new constables are to hit the ground running as they come in the inception of the High-Density Operation, Operation Shanela, which continues to implement the five-pillar approach to resolve and reduce the volumes of crime in our communities.” 

Police shortage in Free State

On a previous visit to Botshabelo, Cele listened to residents outline the challenges they have experienced as far as the police are included. During the ministerial imbizo in question, it was explained that there is a shortage of police officers, and the minister made a promise that the shortage in the province will be dealt with. At least 550 police trainees will be deployed to the province. 

Cele vowed that within the next three years, they would have closed the gap of the shortage.

Police vehicle shortage

Another challenge is a shortage of vehicles. The DA’s Andrew Whitfield says 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 the police are 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 to reach crime scenes for investigations.” 

Free State SAPS given new vehicles

Various police stations in the Free State received new vehicles months after the shortage of vehicles was placed in the spotlight. 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 handed over at the event are the same ones reported to be standing in the sun for over a year.

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