JMPD’s new fleet hot on criminals’ heels
JOHANNESBURG – The entire fleet was at a cost of about R60.9 million and R700 000 per car including branding and fitting.
The Metro police‘s new fleet of vehicles bear fruitful results a day before they were launched, following the arrest of two suspects who had allegedly killed a woman and her helper in the south of Johannesburg.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department launched 87 new BMW cars on 30 August at its headquarters in Martindale. Nine of the cars were unmarked and 78 belong to the Freeway Patrol Unit. Spokesperson for the Metro Police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said officers who were using one of the unmarked vehicles apprehended two suspects in Johannesburg city centre on 29 August. The suspects were wanted for the murder of a woman and her helper during a robbery that took place in Zakariyya Park on the same day.
“The suspects were spotted by officers in the inner city driving a vehicle stolen during the robbery. The officers immediately pounced on them, arresting one suspect while his accomplice fled to Wanderers Taxi Rank. He was arrested in a taxi that was going to Limpopo,” said Minnaar.
Minnaar said the unmarked cars which belonged to the Crime Prevention Unit had a specific and specialised function in the department. “This is the unit that follows information to prevent crime and arrest suspects who have already committed crime. The Freeway Patrol Unit does freeway routing patrol for visibility, to ensure free traffic flow and that motorists comply with the road traffic regulations and assist motorists where needed,” added Minnaar.
The entire fleet was at a cost of about R60.9 million and about R700 000 per car including branding and fitting of special policing features. They are the newly upgraded model of BMWs with lower maintenance cost and fuel efficiency. “These cars have the advanced technology to take off quicker which will make our duties even more efficient. We have adequate cars for officers and we are grateful for the 1 500 trainees that will join the department after graduating in October. It will bolster the current crop of JMPD and increase the number to service residents of the City,” concluded Minnaar.
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