In an effort to deliver essential services to communities, the Mpumalanga government rolled out a fleet of brand-new police vehicles at the Sydney Choma Banquet Hall today.

There were 74 police vehicles handed over to different police stations, and the Nkangala District received 20 vehicles, which will be distributed to different police stations within the district.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela welcomed the officials for conducting the handover in Middelburg.

He also highlighted that the municipality loses millions of rands during load-shedding due to cable theft.

He also urged the police and the Department of Community Safety, Security, and Liaison to help curb unauthorised taxi patrollers from various taxi associations within the municipality, who carry rifles and prohibit other taxi associations from driving along specific routes.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, urged station commanders to properly manage the vehicles, “It is unacceptable for anyone to be denied or delayed access to essential services due to a shortage of resources, and we are committed to addressing this issue head-on. While we are aware that the 74 vehicles being handed over today may not fully meet the needs of every police station and unit in the province, rest assured that we are prioritising those areas with the greatest need,”