By Kaya 959 News
Gauteng police have a total of 124 non-functioning Flying Squad vehicles.
The DA is calling on Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, to ensure that the vehicles are back on the road and assist with crime-fighting efforts in the province.
“These vehicles could have been used during the recent incidents of violence and looting to ensure maximum police visibility and to prevent such incidents from happening,” the DA’s Michael Shackleton said.
He said the livelihoods of so many Gauteng residents could have been saved if these vehicles were in functional condition.
The revelations came to light when Mazibuko was responding to questions put forward by the DA.
Shackleton said the vehicles, if roadworthy, could have been used to ensure police visibility during the recent looting in Gauteng.
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Vehicles out for repairs
According to Mazibuko, 124 out of 231 Gauteng SAPS flying squad vehicles are non-functional and have been at various workshops, some for more than three months.
In total, there are only 107 Gauteng SAPS flying squad vehicles that are operational.
“There is no specific timeframe as to when the vehicles currently in for repairs, will be returned to their respective flying squad base. This is unacceptable as the SAPS must have a turnaround time as to when the vehicles will be fixed based on the level of damages,” he said.
“This has also negatively impacted the work of the police flying squad which are mostly deployed in crime hotspots areas, particularly during this recent unrest where they could have assisted in preventing the people from looting and damaging malls and shops.
The lack of an adequate number of vehicles hampers police service delivery and puts the safety of the residents of Gauteng at risk, leaving SAPS officers with fewer vehicles for visibility patrol.”
Shackleton said they will write an open letter to both Mazibuko and Police Minister, Bheki Cele, to request that the matter be expedited.
