The EMPD chief of police, Isaac Jabulani Mapiyeye, in mid-June, took delivery of the first of three water cannon vehicles ordered to enable trained officers to tackle volatile protest situations, which invariably end up violently, placing both the lives of innocent citizens and property at risk.
The water cannon enables officers to tackle riot situations in a non-lethal manner in dispersing unruly crowds, as well as putting out fires.
The water cannon truck offers a comfortable, reliable and efficient solution for crowd control, rioting and preserving of peace and order in a non-lethal fashion.
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It provides ballistic protection and is also capable of operating in high temperature and dusty environments.
Installed in the truck is surveillance cameras, night vision capabilities, PA system and roof monitors.
On the day of delivery, several Public Order Policing Unit members underwent training on how to operate the water cannon truck.
The training of officers charged with the responsibility of manning the water cannon trucks is done by the The Future of Motion (TFM) company in Olifantsfontein.
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Training will be at regular intervals to ensure honing of officers’ skills in handling the water cannon trucks deftly.
Once the balance of two trucks is delivered, the trucks will be deployed in each of the EMPD operational regions, namely, North, South and East.
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