Benoni SAPS denies shortage of vehicles

Philip Stoneman, CEO and founder of Trauma Support South Africa (TSSA), recently raised concerns about the number of vehicles the Benoni SAPS has available to respond to emergency calls.

According to him, his frustration was echoed by members of the police station who claim that there are only two response vehicles.

“I was responding to a trauma call on February 7 where police presence was needed for the scene to be handed over to the relevant respondents,” he said.

“Numerous calls were logged with the customer service centre as well as sector manager for assistance yet, no one responded. Upon arrival, more than two hours following the initial report, the responding officers informed me that they were called to an armed robbery and that no other vehicles were available to assist us.

“Officers said that their response vehicle was designated to Farrarmere, Northmead, Rynfield and Benoni AH.

“The officers were very efficient in their duties, however, it is ridiculous to think that having only two police vehicles servicing such a wide area is sufficient,” he said.

Capt Nomsa Sekele, spokesperson for the Benoni SAPS, said the station has three motor vehicles attending to complaints.

“On the day in question the third vehicle had mechanical problems and was taken in for repairs, but was returned later that day,” said Sekele.

“We have been managing with the three vehicles without any complaints and when needed other component vehicles are utilised.

Our response times depend largely on how the incidents are categorised.

“Some of our vehicles are currently out of order and being repaired but we hope to have as many wheels as possible back on the streets.”

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