MORE THAN 20% OF POLICE VEHICLES AT GONIWE OUT OF SERVICE

More than 20% of police vehicles assigned to the Ivory Park Police Station are currently out of service.

This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in one of Gauteng’s most crime-affected areas.

This alarming statistic was revealed by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in a written reply to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to the reply, 16 out of 78 vehicles at Ivory Park Police Station are not operational — a figure that underscores the growing strain on law enforcement in the area.

With violent crimes, house robberies, and mob justice incidents on the rise, the lack of operational vehicles is believed to be compromising police response times and community safety.

“Replacing these vehicles could have helped prevent many crimes. By allowing them to remain inoperable, the administration is surrendering community safety to opportunistic criminals who consistently find ways to stay ahead of inadequate policing efforts.” DA Gauteng stated in a media release.

The DA is now calling on Premier Lesufi to urgently engage with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Gauteng SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni. The party demands the prioritisation of vehicle replacements to ensure that local police can respond swiftly and effectively to crime.

VEHICLE FAILURES ROOTED IN MAINTENANCE ISSUES

The reasons for police vehicles being unoperational across the province are numerous and reflect deep maintenance challenges. Common mechanical issues include:
• Faulty brake systems
• Wheel alignment problems
• Engine and gearbox failures
• Clutch overhauls, among others

These problems often lead to lengthy downtimes, further limiting the already stretched resources of police stations.

Ivory Park, which includes surrounding communities such as Kaalfontein and Tswelopele, has experienced a spate of serious crimes in recent months, from armed robberies to mob justice killings. Residents have frequently complained about slow police response and a visible lack of patrol vans.

With over 20% of police vehicles parked in repair yards, community safety hangs in the balance.