The Benoni Flying Squad (BFS) unit was announced as the most successful unit among all seven Gauteng Flying Squads following their year-end report, which boasted 1 166 arrests for various crimes in the province and the recovery of 442 vehicles.
The year in review was April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020.
“On April 1, it was announced by the Rapid Response Provincial Coordinators office, which oversees all Gauteng K9, water police, mounted units, accident and flying squad units, that Benoni was the most successful flying squad for the past year in terms of successes per operational member,” said BFS spokesperson WO Grant Giblin.
The commander of BFS, Lt Col Tali Lukhele, attributed this recognition to discipline, motivation, mutual respect, a hands-on approach and open channels of communication between himself, support staff and members alike.
“Being a specialised unit, discipline has always been a key factor,” Lukhele said.
The successes are based on arrests and seizures (drugs, motor vehicles, firearms and stolen goods) made in the execution of their duties.
“The unit has 69 operational members, who are divided into six relief shifts.
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“Four of these relief shifts operate 24 hours per day with duties which cover the R21/N12 highways and surrounds, while the others operate flexi-hours according to crime patterns and special operations in their local areas and neighbouring suburbs.”
Giblin said officers arrested 742 suspects for crimes including domestic violence, assault, theft, shoplifting, counterfeit goods, possession of stolen goods, damage to property, robbery, murder, possession of endangered species, fraud, housebreaking, possession of explosives, driving under the influence of alcohol, crimen injuria, escaping from lawful custody, public violence, illegal mining, sexual harassment, trespassing, attempted cash-in-transit and rape.
“In addition to this, 200 stolen motor vehicles were recovered with 78 arrests made in these incidents, 242 hijacked vehicles recovered with 47 arrests, 96 firearms recovered with 73 arrests and another 226 suspects arrested for drug-related charges.
“BFS officers participated in 1 911 vehicle checkpoints as well as regular crime prevention operations throughout Gauteng, searched and tested in excess of 40 000 vehicles and 101 124 individuals.”
The BFS came into operation in 1993 and at the time was made up of a 10111 call centre as well as shift workers covering 24-hour patrols and response to complaints.
Since its establishment, the unit has had a number of commanders, including Lt Col Morkel, Brig Killian, Col van Zyl, Capt Erasmus, Col Badenhorst and now Lukhele.
Lukhele thanked officers and encouraged them to keep up the good work, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The unit commander officially took over command in December 2018, although he had previously acted as commander on numerous occasions.
He said it makes him tremendously proud to have his team come out on top in his first full financial year as commander of a specialised unit like BFS.
Lukhele is eager for his unit to continue striving to keep communities safe and make an impact on crime.
“April started with tremendous challenges, but the BFS team are up to the task and will maintain a professional service,” he said.
Giblin said: “This emphasises the importance of the relationship with the community.”
