By Theodorah waga Mawasha
LENYENYE-Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed in parliament that an average of 21% of police vehicles across the country are broken – down and not in working condition. Needless to say, society bears the brunt of the high rate and slow response to crime.
In light of this, community members that are serviced by Maake Police Station, Greater Tzaneen, have come forward with concerns following a break – down of a few police vans at the aforementioned station.
A source said that nine of the station’s vehicles are parked at a garage waiting for repairs after battery failure, while four others are idling and gathering dust without tyres.
“It is worrisome because this issue causes the slow response to crime by police. It’s even causing a huge hindrance to crime-fighting efforts made by residents in communities tuqwybecause when suspects are caught we wait for a long time for police to arrive and offer intervention”, the source said.
It is reported that oftentimes, the police just don’t arrive.
In addition, a well-placed source told this publication that the vehicles are said to be serviced by a Service provider outside the province meaning the turnaround time is lengthy.
“This issue must be dealt with a sense of urgency if we are to reduce the high rate of crime in this area”, he added.
An effort to get a comment from the provincial office was not successful as the office told us that they don’t respond to operational matters.
