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The portfolio committee for Community Safety recently conducted oversight at SAPS garages in the Vhembe district which revealed challenges that require urgent intervention.

At the Makhado SAPS garage, that serves the 10 surrounding police stations, the built -in delays in the procurement processes require authorisation from two lieutenant-colonels on a provincial level. This results in serious delays which keep the vehicles off the road for longer than needed.

Challenges at the Makhado SAPS garage include:

The rented building that houses the garage has inadequate space and further no running water, which we believe resulted in three staff members contracting Covid-19, as washing of hands and ensuring a hygienic working environment is mandatory during the pandemic. The Makhado Local municipality has been requested to assist to no avail.

A shortage of administrative personnel results in artisans completing the paperwork and other administrative tasks, resulting in vehicles being manned up by a lesser number of artisans.

Artisans last received PPE to protect them against the acids and heavy-duty equipment in 2018.

The Thohoyandou/Sibasa SAPS garage provides service to 10 police stations as well as 5 specialised units.

The garage is inadequately resourced and are in need of additional assistant mechanics, more hydraulics jacks, the repair of 5 of the 11 the vehicle lifts, battery chargers which are a great need due to the huge shortage.

It was concerning to learn that most SAPS vehicle accidents occur in the new Toyota Hilux model. The DA urges Provincial Commissioner, Lt -Gen Nneke Ledwaba, to ensure that all members receive sufficient training in advanced driving skills to ensure their own safety and to prevent accidents.

The DA believes that the limited resources of SAPS must be utilised optimally. This includes the maintenance of vehicles.

During the 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV), it was highlighted that unmarked vehicles to transport victims of GBV are not always readily available. The delays in transport for victims exacerbate secondary victimisation and ultimately the recovery from heinous ordeals.

The power to authorise quotations which is vested at provincial level for all SAPS garages causes unnecessary delays in repairs.The DA calls upon the MEC for Community Safety, Mavhungu Lerule Ramakhanya and the Lt- Gen Ledwaba to reassess the procurement processes for SAPS garages to cut delays and to get vehicles out on the road in the shortest possible time.

The DA will continue the fight to adequately equip our men and women in blue to serve and protect.

Issued by The DA