DA mayoral candidate calls for EMPD overhaul amid safety concerns
Rasilingwane said residents deserved answers about how long the vehicles had been out of service, what was causing repair delays
Mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane pledged to overhaul the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), citing safety concerns, out-of-service police vehicles, and issues with officer vetting.
In a statement on October 7, Rasilingwane said the municipal police service was operating below capacity as residents grew increasingly concerned about public safety.
Rasilingwane (Democratic Alliance) said the discovery of 12 women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni over two months and a reported 60% increase in kidnappings in Kempton Park are indicators of the city’s safety challenges.
ALSO READ: DA mayoral candidate takes service delivery campaign to Germiston
According to Rasilingwane, 297 of the EMPD’s 1 498 vehicles are out of service due to mechanical failures, maintenance backlogs, and accident damage. She argued that the number of unavailable vehicles affects police visibility, patrols, and response times, particularly when residents need urgent assistance.
Rasilingwane said residents deserved answers on how long the vehicles had been out of service, what was delaying repairs, how much was being spent on maintenance, and who was accountable.
Her concerns extend beyond the fleet to the vetting of EMPD officers.
She pointed to the city’s decision to resume vetting more than 3 500 EMPD officials in February, following a four-year gap.
According to figures cited by the DA, 3 551 officials were processed by April, with 125 flagged over questionable criminal histories.
ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni DA mayoral candidate calls for urgent action against GBV
Rasilingwane said a full audit of the vehicles is needed. “We need to know how many are out of service, setting clear repair targets and prioritising the return of vehicles to patrol duties in high-crime areas, including Kempton Park,” she said.
She argued that public safety has wider consequences for residents, businesses and the local economy.
Rasilingwane said fear of crime affects women’s freedom of movement, limits children’s ability to play safely, increases security costs for businesses and undermines public confidence in law enforcement.
An enquiry was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni about the out-of-service EMPD fleet and its repair plan. By the time it went to print on October 11, no comment had been received.
