The City of Ekurhuleni is conducting investigations to establish why dealerships have not been paid for routine repairs and maintenance on metro police vehicles.
“The department is prioritising the outstanding payment backlog,” said Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni.
Michele Clarke, DA Gauteng spokesperson on community safety, said in a statement issued on Thursday last week that Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) vehicles that were sent for repairs last year had not been returned from the dealerships due to non-payment.
“The City of Ekurhuleni owes millions of Rands to several vehicle dealerships for repairs carried out on EMPD vehicles.
“This already under-resourced and under-staffed department has been crippled by the depletion of its fleet and as a result cannot operate effectively or efficiently.
“Visible policing is now at an all-time low,” Clarke said.
Gadebe said the EMPD operates with a fleet in excess of 1 800, from which only 37 vehicles have not been returned. Thirty of these vehicles are at Cassey Ford Benoni, four at Lindsay Saker Kempton Park and three at Lindsay Saker Alberton.
The total amount not paid, according to Gadebe, is R1 387 881 (R360 993 Cassey Ford Benoni, R619 262 Lindsay Saker Kempton Park and R407 626 Lindsay Saker Alberton).
