BuaNews
(Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
7 October 2008
Ekurhuleni — Vehicles purchased by the Ekurhuleni Municipality, in a bid to improve the standard of community safety and policing in the municipality, will start patrolling the streets by the first week of November.
The 493 vehicles, which were purchased in June this year, are currently undergoing branding and equipment fittings such as two-way radios, sirens, blue lights and tracking devices among other requirements.
The vehicles, which cost R88 million, include sedans, panel vans and 4x4s.
The vehicles will be distributed among the various Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) units including highway patrol, precinct patrol, speed law enforcement, the intervention unit and public order policing.
Head of the Community Safety Portfolio in Ekurhuleni, Councillor Aubrey Nxumalo, said the metro embarked on the process of acquiring additional vehicles for the EMPD in the 2006/7 financial year.
He said the cars would improve visibility on the streets and contribute a great deal to the metro's crime prevention, traffic policing and by-law enforcement efforts.
"This is a clear indication that we are serious about fighting crime and making Ekurhuleni the peaceful place it ought to be.
"Community safety is a priority for this country and Ekurhuleni hence our decision to empower our metro police with all the necessary equipment to effectively discharge their mandate," Mr Nxumalo explained.
He said the cars will start patrolling at an ideal time considering the festive period, which requires the police to be on high alert due to high crime levels.
"Furthermore, we view this as a huge step towards beefing up security as a build up to 2010.
"Ekurhuleni is a very strategic player in the country hosting the world cup by virtue of being home to the OR Tambo International Airport, which is the biggest airport in Africa and one that will be handling a lot of human traffic before, during and after the soccer extravaganza," Mr Nxumalo said.
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