On Monday (15/12), community safety, roads and transport MEC Jabu Mbalula officially handed over the vehicles during a ceremony in Bloemfontein. The fleet, valued at R29.99 million, is expected to significantly enhance government capacity in areas such as road safety, emergency response and community-based services.

The newly acquired vehicles include ten Volkswagen Polo sedans and five GWM doublecab bakkies allocated to traffic officials. Two of these have been deployed to traffic management operations along the busy N3 corridor, while the remaining three will support road safety awareness and outreach programmes across the province. 

Vehicles to support safety awareness, medical response

To strengthen health services, ten pathology vehicles in the form of four-bed mortuary vans were handed over to the department of health. These vehicles are intended to bolster emergency medical services and improve forensic response times.

A further 35 GWM doublecab pickup  trucks were allocated to the department of social development to support community-based service delivery initiatives, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

“This investment reflects our determination to ensure safer roads this festive season, quicker emergency responses and improved support to our communities. These vehicles will enable our departments to deliver services where they are needed most,” said Mbalula.

He emphasised the importance of responsible management of public resources, warning against the misuse and abuse of state assets. Officials must view the vehicles as essential tools to enhance efficiency, accessibility and the overall quality of service delivery.

'Fleet to strengthen law enforcement patrols, Arrive Alive campaigns'

"The additional fleet will strengthen the visibility and mobility of traffic officers, enabling intensified road safety operations, law enforcement patrols and Arrive Alive campaigns," he added. Increased law enforcement visibility on the roads is expected to promote safer driving behaviour, reduce accidents and protect lives, especially during peak travel periods.

Beyond road safety, the vehicles are also set to improve the work of social workers by enabling quicker responses to cases of gender-based violence and femicide, child welfare matters and other social emergencies requiring urgent intervention.

Mbalula called on law enforcement officers and public servants to lead by example, reminding them that adherence to the law and ethical conduct must start with those entrusted to serve and protect the public.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvdw