The cars were handed over to them as a way to improve service delivery and to ensure that police are better equipped to attend to crime incidents in their communities.
Present at the handover ceremony was the National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, who gave the keynote address ahead of the handover.
Phiyega explained that 55 police stations would benefit from the handover and encouraged police officers to use them for professional purposes only.
“As members receive these vehicles, they need to remember to take care of what has been entrusted to them,” she said.
She also said that, while not denying existing challenges faced, police officers remain committed to combating crime and working with the community.
She thanked communities for their support and highlighted that the police have only been successful due to the community’s assistance.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba, also thanked the national government for the vehicles and explained that 1081 vehicles had been provided for the province.
“We did a needs-assessment of each station when deciding which ones would receive vehicles, but we [also] decided to equip rural stations the most with suitable cars,” he said.
Mothiba highlighted that 75 percent of the vehicles were received, with the other 35 percent expected to arrive in February.
Like Phiyega, he implored officers to use the vehicles to attend to crime and work within the community and stressed that those misusing vehicles would be dealt with.
Sectors such as visible policing and the detective unit received vehicles.
Also present at the handover was Gauteng Provincial Community Board Chairperson, Andy Mashaile, and deputy provincial commissioner: physical resources, Major General Dimakatso Ndaba.
The handover took place on 21 January at 9am.
