Over 250 new EMPD officers have to work without bulletproof vests.
According to Clr Jaco Terblanche, DA shadow MMC for community safety in Ekurhuleni, there is also no tender in place to acquire additional body armour.
“New armour will only be procured in the 2020/21 financial year, if the tender is awarded,” he said in a statement.
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Terblanche revealed this information following written questions to the MMC for community safety in Ekurhuleni, Clr Frans Mmoko.
“I posed this question to the MMC after numerous officers approached me, raising their concerns over the lack of availability of body armour.”
Terblanche said according to the MMC, 1 009 bulletproof vests were issued to operational members and that the new intake of 263 members still need to be issued with body armour.
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“While the MMC admitted there is no lifespan end for bulletproof vests, they do need to be inspected at least every five years for mould. Should mould be found on the plates in the armour, they need to replaced.
“Worryingly, the department does not have any bulletproof vests in stock and it will only be issued to personnel as and when they are delivered. This means the officers tasked with serving and protecting communities do not have the necessary equipment to effectively perform their duties. The MMC has failed to ensure that the metro police have the basic equipment and this could explain why the staff morale is low and there are threats of marches by officers.”
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