Picture: SAPS hand over 1087 vehicles/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
1 November 2026 – The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola handed over 1087 vehicles to strengthen policing capacity at grassroots level and enhance the service’s ability to respond to crime and the needs of communities. Masemola was accompanied by the acting National Commissioner for Support Services, Lieutenant General (Dr) Bongiwe Zulu, and the acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Hilda Senthumule.
He further said of the 1087 vehicles, 739 have been allocated to Detective Services, while 290 have been allocated to the Visible Policing and Operations environment. Masemola added that a further 58 vehicles will be retained at Head Office as a reserve fleet for special interventions.
“The vehicles will be deployed to 70 of the 140 identified high-crime police stations, as well as to Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units, 10111 emergency call centres and Flying Squads. A total of 200 vehicles have been allocated to FCS Units to strengthen the SAPS’ capacity to provide timely, professional and compassionate services to victims of sexual offences, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
“These vehicles will support the work of members who investigate these sensitive cases and assist victims in accessing the services they need. The Eastern Cape will receive 163, Gauteng 151, Mpumalanga 147, KwaZulu-Natal 135, while Western Cape will receive 113 vehicles during the provincial distribution of the vehicles,” he said.
Masemola said the Free State will receive 103 vehicles, North West 84, Limpopo 79, while Northern Cape will receive 54. Speaking at the handover ceremony, he emphasised that the additional vehicles represent an investment in SAPS members, the communities they serve and the future of policing in South Africa.
“This investment must be matched by accountability, responsible resource management and an unwavering commitment to improving policing outcomes. As we hand over these vehicles, we must recognise that public resources come with a responsibility of stewardship.
“These vehicles belong to the people of South Africa. They are not instruments of personal convenience or symbols of privilege. They are operational assets entrusted to the SAPS to protect lives, uphold the law and serve our communities,” said Masemola.
He said the new fleet, comprising sedans and double-cab bakkies, forms part of the SAPS’s ongoing efforts to enhance frontline service delivery, improve operational efficiency, increase police visibility and strengthen crime-fighting capacity. Masemola said the additional vehicles are expected to support police members in responding to complaints, conducting investigations, attending to victims and intensifying crime-prevention and law-enforcement operations.
“The SAPS remains committed to ensuring that resources are deployed effectively to improve service delivery, strengthen public confidence and create safer communities,” he said.
