A row of police vehicles used by the South African Police Service. Image: SAPS
Cele orders more police vehicles to combat crime
A row of police vehicles used by the South African Police Service.
A row of police vehicles used by the South African Police Service. Image: SAPS
The Police Minister Bheki Cele says he has ordered more police vans and high-powered vehicles to supplement visible policing and to fight crime in the country.
POLICE VEHICLES WILL IMPROVE VISIBILITY TO FIGHT CRIME
Cele says he was responding to the shortage of vehicles in the police. This is also meant to improve the everyday work of police officers on the ground.
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“However, the aftermath of COVID-19 has caused delays in the delivery of police vehicles countrywide,” Cele said.
“More patrol vans and high-powered vehicles have been ordered to supplement visible policing and specialized units such as highway patrols, flying squad, to respond effectively to crime,” the minister stated.
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MORE POLICE VEHICLES ARE ON THE WAY TO COMBAT CRIME
He spoke during the release of the police’s quarterly crime statistics on Thursday, 16 February 2023, in Cape Town.
He said the new fleet of police vehicles would bring better police visibility and empower police to be more effective in fighting crime.
Cele admitted that integrated crime prevention and combatting operations are critical in policing.
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THE POLICE MINISTRY IS LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN CPFS
He said his ministry is fast-tracking legislation to close gaps hampering policing and laws that bolster police work.
“One such example is the Amendment of the SAPS Act to strengthen the functioning of Community Policing Forums (CPFs). The Amendments will ensure that CPFs have some resources to function optimally.”
The minister said CPFs are the police’s most vital link to communities and play an integral role in the safety partnership that we are calling on.
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To date, 1 156 police stations in the country have active CPFs.
