Yasmin Bilal
The police service is spending R518 million on more than 1,000 vehicles to strengthen investigations, improve response times and support frontline policing across the country.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced the investment during a handover ceremony at the SAPS Academy in Benoni, Gauteng, today.
The 1,087 vehicles were procured for the 2026/2027 financial year and will be distributed across all nine provinces and various operational units.
Detective Services and Forensic Services will receive 739 vehicles, including 200 for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units.
A further 290 vehicles will support Visible Policing and Operations, including 10111 emergency call centres and the Flying Squad. The remaining vehicles will strengthen operational support and provide a reserve fleet at head office.
Masemola said the investment was intended to put resources where they were most needed, particularly at police stations dealing with high levels of crime.
“This handover demonstrates our deliberate commitment to placing essential resources where they are needed most,” he said.
The SAPS has identified 140 high-crime police stations as priorities for additional operational support.
Masemola said the impact of the vehicles should be measured by improvements in services to communities rather than the number handed over.
“Our success will not be measured by the number of vehicles handed over today, but by the difference they make in the daily lives of the people we serve,” he said.
He said the 200 vehicles allocated to FCS units would improve investigators’ mobility in cases involving gender-based violence, domestic violence, sexual offences and crimes against children.
Masemola also called on police leadership to ensure the fleet was maintained and used responsibly.
“These vehicles belong to the people of South Africa. They are not instruments of personal convenience or symbols of privilege,” he said.
Acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General HK Senthumule said the new fleet would help detectives attend crime scenes, follow up leads, trace suspects and gather evidence for prosecution.
“From the perspective of the environment I oversee, particularly investigations and the detective services, the value of these vehicles cannot be overstated,” Senthumule said.
She described reliable transport as a critical part of the criminal justice system, enabling investigators to interview witnesses and build cases that can withstand challenges in court.
“Ultimately, our responsibility does not end with arresting suspects. We must build strong, evidence-based cases that withstand judicial scrutiny and contribute to securing appropriate convictions and significant sentences against those who commit serious crimes,” she said.
Senthumule said the investment would also support police visibility, response times and service delivery, particularly at the 140 priority stations.
She urged officers to take care of the vehicles and ensure each one contributed to community safety.
“Use them purposefully, maintain them responsibly and remember that every kilometre travelled must contribute to protecting our communities and serving the people of South Africa,” she said.
Senthumule also acknowledged the contribution of Community Policing Forums, community representatives and other stakeholders in efforts to build safer communities.
Masemola urged political parties, candidates and communities to cooperate with law enforcement ahead of the 2026 local government elections.