Flying squad in dire need of new vehicles
The first to respond are normally the first to encounter suspects.
WHITE RIVER – Police flying-squad officers do not have enough vehicles to do their job. The squad comprises 59 members, with a total of 13 vehicles allocated for response. Currently seven vehicles are undergoing repairs. The six operational ones are two 2010 Ford Focus 2.0s, two 2009 Nissan LDV Double Cab 2.5 bakkies, and a 2014 Toyota Hilux LDV Double Cab 2.5 diesel bakkie. Their only high-performance vehicle is a 2011 VW Golf 2.0.”The unit is the first to respond to major situations like cash-in-transit heists,” a source from the unit said.
“The first to respond are normally the first to encounter suspects. In major heists, the suspects use brand-new stolen Mercedes-Benzes or BMWs, and our vehicles just cannot keep up.”
Lowvelder witnessed one of the Fords overheating on Monday. Police officers used the water bottles they store in the boot to refill the water tank. These water bottles are kept for this purpose.
The source said repairs could take a vehicle out of circulation for months. “Once we send a vehicle in to be fixed, the garage can wait for authorisation to do the job for ages. We cannot afford this, as we are short of vehicles and working ones.”
The unit covers vast areas. “It is embarrassing when we respond to a call-out and security vehicles overtake us.” They also have to escort high-profile dignitaries. “We will have to escort an international rugby team soon, and we just do not have enough vehicles.”
Read more here: Police bribery case postponed
He added that high-performance vehicles often land up in the hands of top officials in administrative departments. Acting national police commissioner, Lt Gen Khomotso Phahlane, did not believe the account before being presented with the photographic evidence during his visit to the province this week.
He told the press last week Tuesday that flying- squad units receive new high-performance vehicles annually. Phalane said he believed the matter regarding using water bottles was not factual.
Provincial police spokesman, Brig Leonard Hlathi, said new vehicles were handed over in Middleburg on February 25. “The flying squad will get new vehicles as soon as they are finished branding them,” he claimed.
Read more here: Tracker honours the heroes in crime war
