Six brand-new vehicles were handed over to the Rand West City Public Safety Department on Tuesday, 21 July.
According to Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) Executive Mayor, Brenda Mahamu, 21 July is yet another day that the RWCLM has proved its commitment to service delivery and ensuring the safety of the communities.
The MMC for Public Safety, Yaqub Jeje Legote, flanked by representatives from his unit, could not contain his excitement. They promised that the fleet would ensure more visibility around the City.
In her hand-over speech, the Executive Mayor indicated that she was excited that the moment finally arrived, because the communities will see that RWCLM is serious about responding to concerns about service delivery.
During last year’s IDP meeting at the Greenhills Stadium, which was attended by Wards 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9, the issue of lack of RWCLM support for Public Safety was sharply raised, emphasising that it encouraged lawlessness on the roads. The Executive Mayor heeded the call.
“I knew that something had to be done, because RWCLM did not need more challenges. These vehicles were bought and are council property – we do not owe anybody.
“The RWCLM as an institution is experiencing financial pressure but we managed to purchase these vehicles so that our public officers can continue to serve the public. We have not been able to do that due to finances. Our traffic officers have been working with less than five cars, under severe circumstances, and they are the first people to be affected by Covid-19 because they are frontliners.
“But today I want them to know that I acknowledge their work and share my sincere gratitude towards them.
I know six vehicles are not enough and like a drop in the ocean, and I wish we could give them more than these,” she said. Rand West City Traffic Chief, Kenny Mampondo, said half a loaf of bread is better than nothing.
“I can not emphasise how excited I am now that we have at least six vehicles, and I am saying so because for me to run effective law enforcement in Rand West I need at least 40 vehicles, which would include double and single cab bakkies, and many more.
“RWCLM consists of townships, suburbs and rural areas, so different types of vehicles are needed for the different areas, and we also need to service them. I cannot refer to these vehicles as half a loaf of bread, as they are far from that. Despite the mayor saying the institution is facing financial problems, I am happy that they managed to secure these six vehicles. We truly appreciate getting them.
“We hope to repair the other vehicles so that they can at least be put back on the road. We also hope that when the financial battles are over, we can phase in new vehicles. But we would like to thank the mayor for hearing our cry,” he said.
