Rubber meets the road!

Share current article via FacebookShare current article via PinterestShare current article via WhatsAppShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInNewsRubber meets the road!By: Stephens Molobi • 3m agomedia24Add as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google NewsListen to this article-00:00lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandGeneral Fannie Masemola (middle) rolled out a massive new fleet to boost police visibility and make sure cops can get to crime scenes and victims fast. (SAPS) Over 1 000 new cars rolled out to boost police visibility and response timesSAPS boss General Fannie Masemola has rolled out a massive new fleet.

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This in a bid to boost police visibility and making sure cops can get to crime scenes and victims speedily.

Masemola on Thursday, 29 October, handed over 1 087 new vehicles to the SAPS.

He said these wheels will beef up policing at grassroots level and help cops respond quicker to crime and community needs.

He was joined by two top brass, acting deputy national commissioner for support services, Lieutenant-General (Dr) Bongiwe Zulu, and acting deputy national commissioner for crime detection, Lieutenant-General Hilda Senthumule at the handover ceremony.

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Masemola made it clear these weren’t toys.

“These vehicles belong to the people of South Africa. They’re not instruments of personal convenience or symbols of privilege. They’re operational assets entrusted to the SAPS to protect lives, uphold the law, and serve our communities,” he said.

The bulk of the fleet, 739 vehicles, has been earmarked for the detective services, giving investigators mobility to crack cases and chase down suspects. A further 290 go to visible policing and operations, meaning more marked vans on the streets and faster response times.

The remaining 58 will stay at head office as a reserve fleet for special interventions. The vehicles, a mix of sedans and double-cab bakkies, will be deployed to 70 of the 140 stations flagged as high-crime hotspots as well as to Flying Squads, 10111 call centres and FCS Units.

Eastern Cape received the biggest share at 163, followed by Gauteng with 151 and Mpumalanga with 147. KZN received 135, Western Cape 113, Free State 103, North West 84, Limpopo 79 and Northern Cape 54.

In a significant move for the fight against gender-based violence and femicide, 200 of the new vehicles have been allocated specifically to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units.

Masemola said these vehicles would back up members investigating such cases and help victims access the services they need without delays that could compound their trauma.

The top cop wrapped up the handover with a stern warning: “These vehicles come with responsibility.”

He said the fleet represents an investment in SAPS members, the communities they serve and the future of policing, but that must be matched by accountability and proper resource management.

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