This is according to Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, as protest action is said to be spreading to other parts of the metro – Botshabelo, Thaba’ Nchu, Soutpan, and Dewetsdorp on Tuesday. 

The provincial spokesperson also addressed concerns mounting over how the issue of police vans needing repairs may be hindering efforts to ensure that the demonstrations do not become violent.

Makhele says they are dealing with the situation with vehicles used for crowd control and stresses that these are not vehicles affected by the backlog at the Saps garage. 

OFM News previously reported that police vehicles are stuck at various police stations, including Kopanong, Kagisanong, and Bloemspruit, amongst others, with only minor issues such as brake pads, due to a backlog in repairs at the garage. Sources also complained about the lack of resources, which they claim have a huge impact on how they carry their duties of providing safety and security to residents from criminals.

A well-placed source told OFM News that the tens of police investigators at the Kagisanong Police Station in Bloemfontein share only two vehicles, whilst the crime prevention officers are making use of a single vehicle to patrol the entire area with roughly 800 000 residents. OFM News witnessed a large contingent of police vehicles stuck at these stations.

Makhele confirmed that some of the vehicles are standing at different police stations, citing a lack of space at garages to store all these vehicles.

OFM News/Olebogeng Motse and Lucky Nkuyane