PRETORIA – Police Minister General Bheki Cele has officially handed over 130 new vehicles to the Local Criminal Records Centre (LCRC) of the South African Police Service (SAPS). This initiative aims to improve the SAPS's operational efficiency, particularly in responding promptly to crime scenes.
According to South African Government News Agency, the new vehicles were acquired after obtaining necessary approvals from Parliament's Portfolio Committee. The vehicles are expected to significantly aid in crime scene investigations, helping to gather and analyze evidence that links suspects to crimes. Some vehicles will also be allocated to different provinces to bolster local law enforcement resources. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the police force, including recent additions to aid the Illicit Mining task teams, known as Operation Vala Umgodi, which has been instrumental in making over 6000 arrests since its inception in December 2023. Additionally, the Public Order Policing Units have received 52 minibuses to improve their response to large gatherings and protests.