/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Failure from SAPS to decentralize the procurement and maintenance of South African Police Services (SAPS) vehicles to the province will continue to leave the Northern Cape as the slowest responding province to crime in the country.

Following oversight inspections to the Daniëlskuil and Postmasburg SAPS stations last week, I can confirm that the current SAPS vehicle procurement process will continue to negatively affect crime fighting in the province. It is a threat to community safety.

Daniëlskuil SAPS station, responsible for ensuring the safety of approximately 5 381 households, only has two out of six operational vehicles available to service the area. Unfortunately, these vehicles are not fit for the gravel and untarred roads in the area and risk having their lifespan shortened due to wear and tear. The only two police vans are also waiting to receive repairs and services.

Furthermore, only four out of eight vehicles at the Postmasburg SAPS station are currently mobile. Staff at the station have also expressed their frustration at the lengthy turnaround time of Supply Chain Management processes that continue to negatively hamper their fight against crime.

Compounded by lengthy administrative processes and the completion of multiple forms to procure just a single part for a SAPS vehicle, residents will continue to bear the brunt of delayed response times to crime and emergencies by SAPS in the province.

The DA recently questioned the Deputy Minister of Police, Polly Boshielo, at a recent question time session for the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), about the decentralization of the procurement process. This is in light of the province having the worst response rate to crime and emergencies in the entire country. I will ask more questions in parliament.

We will continue to fight for the decentralization and maintenance of SAPS vehicles to the Northern Cape so that our officers are better equipped to deal with and respond to crime.

Issued. by Ofentse Mokae, MP - DA Member for the Select Committee on Security and Justice