Mapaballo Borotho

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has revealed that there is a critical shortage of mechanics at South African Police Service (SAPS) garages in the province – a problem that’s causing prolonged delays in repairing police vehicles and compromising law enforcement efforts.
Responding to questions from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Lesufi acknowledged that vehicles often sit in police garages for up to a year due to understaffing.
This has led to shortages of operational vehicles at police stations, which in turn affects service delivery and the province’s crime prevention efforts.
“The shortage of mechanics is directly undermining our efforts to keep communities safe,” Lesufi said. “This situation could have been avoided if vacancies were filled and SAPS garages properly staffed.”
The Democratic Alliance criticised the ‘Lesufi-led government’, saying it demonstrates a lack of urgency in protecting Gauteng’s residents.
“This is yet another example of how the Lesufi-led government fails to prioritize safety. Countless crimes could have been prevented if police had the resources they needed, including access to functional vehicles,” the DA stated. “Furthermore, if these positions had been advertised and filled, it could have also provided employment opportunities for qualified individuals.”
The issue adds to growing concerns about crime in the province. Just last week, Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni revealed that the province accounts for nearly 27% of the national crime rate. He also confirmed that 11 police officers have been killed in the line of duty in Gauteng.
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