Mpumalanga is intending to conduct roadblocks aimed at arresting police officers who will be found misusing state vehicles or driving them without permits.
Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe made the announcement on Friday at a hand-over ceremony of 79 new police vehicles to the police stations.
MEC Shongwe said there was too much corruption in the police service and simple roadblocks could assist remove them from the system.
Shongwe said he was aware that communities’ complaints that lack of police vans at the stations were due to misuse by the officers who utilised to do their private things.
“People are raising genuine concerns out there. It is true that some officers are corrupt and misuse police vans by visiting their girlfriends, ferry people or transport illegal goods using these vehicles.
“From now on, will stop each and every police vehicle we see on the road and check if the occupants do have permits or are in their right place of operation.
“Anyone who will be found to be wrong side of the law they will be arrested. We cannot tolerate corrupt officers; they will all be flushed out of the system. We rather have few good instead of the huge number of ineffective police officers,” said MEC Shongwe.
The MEC explained that it was a responsibility for police officers to ensure that they had credibility from the public. He said they needed to treat the vehicles as if they owned them.
“Keep these vehicles new, I do not want to see scratches, these are your working tools, they are yours,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Community Policing Forum Provincial Chairperson, Mandla Mphuti appreciated Mpumalamga SAPS management saying the tools will enhance police visibility in the communities.
Mphuti added that there would be no excuses from the police for not attending to crime scenes.
He emphasised that the officers who will be utilising the vehicles be trained for advanced driving in order for the vehicles to remain in good condition.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Source: Mpumalanga Safety and Security
