Tshwane adds new fleet to deal with crime
The vehicles are expected to increase the current available policing vehicles and provide a stronger presence in communities.
The Tshwane metro unveiled a fleet of 80 new vehicles at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correction Centre on Friday, August 2 as a means to combat crime.
The vehicles were acquired to serve operational needs. The fleet is complemented by sedans, double-cab, and single-cab models to be used by the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD).
MMC for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen said the vehicles were allocated to different units accordingly after a thorough needs assessment within the police department was conducted.
He said the vehicles would increase the current available policing vehicles.
“It will make sure that the department is well-resourced to perform its functions and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the TMPD.”
Theunissen said each vehicle was equipped with state-of-the-art tracking technology and advanced fleet management systems.
“This allows us to efficiently manage and monitor the entire fleet at all times,” he said.
He said the system provides important information about fuel use, speed, and driver behaviour.
“It enables the metro to promote responsible vehicle use and assure accountability among our staff.”
Image: Supplied
Theunissen said that having additional police vehicles would provide a stronger presence in communities, which would allow officers to respond to incidents more quickly and assist them in their critical jobs.
“By equipping the TMPD with these new vehicles, we are taking a proactive approach to addressing safety challenges and ensuring a safer environment for all.”
He urged officials to take pride in the vehicles and treat them as if they were their own.
This new addition of vehicles comes after the metro procured 161 municipal vehicles in May as part of its effort to eliminate R400-million in car leases.
Mayor Cilliers Brink at the time said the vehicles were part of the metro’s ongoing effort to reduce expensive lease costs and procure its own vehicles.
He said while the city still has not achieved its ideal officer-to-vehicle ratio for the TMPD, the latest addition of vehicles owned by the metro will improve this ratio and boost the TMPD’s overall capacity.
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