KZN police welcome new fleet of vehicles

OVER 200 police vehicles were handed over to police in the province at the police vehicle warehouse in New Germany on Monday, December 4. The handover comes after the recent launch of the Safer Festive Season Operation and a week before new police members will be joining the force.

Handing over the vehicles to representatives from different police stations across the province, the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said the aim of the handover is to strengthen the police deployment and ensure amplified police.

Also read: Man gets 10 years for Mariannhill police murder

“As a province, we acknowledge and respect the policy and directive given to us by the government to make sure we have a safer environment for everyone who lives in the province,” he said.

Mkhwanazi further emphasised that they are responsible for the vehicles, which he referred to as assets given to them by the government.

“These vehicles are the assets given to us by the government through the budget allocation that allowed us to purchase these resources, and they help us in carrying out our duties, which are to make a safe environment for the citizens of this province,” he said.

On the maintenance of vehicles, Mkhwanazi urged his colleagues to use the vehicles correctly.

Also read: Keeping Mariannhill safe

“If we use these assets correctly, we are going to get results, such as business growth. We must use the vehicles for what they are meant to do – to deliver services, nothing else. Management must make sure that we respect every policy issued to us on how to manage these assets. The vehicle must be fit to be on the road, and the drivers have been trained and have gone through the assessments, so they know the rules.

“If the vehicle is not roadworthy, it cannot be driven, no matter the demand. However, vehicles should always be serving their purpose and not be parked because there’s something that needs to be fixed in the vehicle. Station commanders have the responsibility to ensure they submit necessary applications on time to procure any resources needed for the vehicles,” he said.

On safety plans for the festive season, Mkhwanazi said that police management in KZN has developed professional plans that will enable them to fight crime.

Also read: Police visibility to increase this festive season

“With the festive season upon us, many incidents occur in our province connected to alcohol use. So the compliance of the liquor act in this province is something that needs to be enforced,” he said.

The province is expecting at least 1 700 new constables who will be graduating from various colleges across the country.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.