Oversight ensures Western Cape receives over 360 SAPS vehicles

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen says that it is through effective and enhanced oversight over the South African Police Service (SAPS) that the service has received 362 vehicles during the 2022/23 financial year. The office of the Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile confirmed this week that prior to the handing over of 251 vehicles in Mitchells Plain on 4 May 2023, the balance of 111 vehicles have been handed over to stations and units across the province between 24 June 2022 and 3 April 2023.

Minister Reagen Allen said: “I was concerned about the totals and enquired in order that the facts around the allocation could be established. In January this year, only 14,88%, or 53 of the 362 vehicles were delivered. In the Western Cape, we are constantly sold short on resources, which includes human, equipment and material. As it stands, there is vacancy rate of approximately 10% across our province, which makes effective policing virtually impossible. To assist SAPS, we have had to deploy our Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers in priority areas where the murder rate is highest. Our LEAP officers are serving as force multipliers in these areas and strengthening SAPS’ hand in the fight against crime.”

Minister Reagen Allen added; “Under no circumstances should these vehicles become white elephants, instead they should be used to aid and serve the communities where they have been allocated. Those tasked with the responsibility of the management of these resources should be held accountable if these are not being used for the benefit of the community, to create visibility and ultimately to combat crime.”

“As part of our continued oversight, I will be visiting some of the stations and units to confirm that they have indeed received their vehicles, while also establishing how the newly obtained resources are being utilised. I urge the community at large to report any misuse of these brand new, or any other police resource. These resources are there to keep all of us safe and for no other reason,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.