Pretoria Citizen Raises Alarm Over Alleged Misuse of Police Vehicles and Public Resources

Concerned Pretoria resident highlights improper police vehicle use, raising questions about public safety and resource allocation in South Africa

A recent incident in Pretoria has sparked concerns over the alleged misuse of police vehicles and the implications this has for public safety and the management of law enforcement resources in South Africa. A Pretoria citizen, Tebogo Khaas, has raised questions about accountability after observing a police vehicle, registered to Bramley Police Station, operating far outside its designated jurisdiction without a visible emergency purpose.

Alleged Incident Unfolds in Pretoria

The issue reportedly began on August 20, 2024, when Khaas noticed the police van from Bramley—located roughly 40 kilometres away—heading toward Sunnyside/Thaba Tshwane with emergency lights activated. However, according to Khaas, the lights were switched off just before the vehicle approached a Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department roadblock and later proceeded to a private residence in Danville, Pretoria West.

Khaas shared details of his findings on X (aka Twitter), expressing scepticism about the purpose of the vehicle’s operation in an area outside Bramley’s jurisdiction. He reported the incident to Lieutenant Colonel Ngubane at Bramley Police Station, who promised to escalate the matter, though Khaas noted that he received no response after over two months.

Growing Pattern of Misuse

During a subsequent visit to Atteridgeville, Khaas observed the same police vehicle parked at a private residence, suggesting a potential pattern of unauthorised use of state resources. This incident, while notable, does not appear isolated.

Observations in other regions, including Protea Glen in Soweto, indicate that police vehicles are often used for personal errands, with officers allegedly using them for tasks such as grocery shopping and transporting family members. Some reports even suggest that police vehicles are parked at officers’ homes during off-duty hours, which could impact emergency response times.

Broader Implications on Public Safety

Public safety experts warn that unauthorised use of police vehicles could compromise law enforcement’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively. In light of rising crime rates across South Africa, the practice of using police vehicles for personal purposes raises several issues, including:

• Inefficient allocation of critical resources – Police vehicles intended for patrols or emergency response could be unavailable for official duties.
• Compromised emergency response capabilities – Unauthorised use may delay law enforcement’s reaction time in critical situations.
• Potential for corrupt activities – Unregulated use of police assets might open doors for abuses of power or corruption.
• Diminished public trust – Continued incidents of misuse may erode public confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its commitment to accountability.

Though regulations governing police vehicle use differ between provinces and municipalities, the general guideline is that these resources should be strictly for official law enforcement activities.

Social Media Responses

While Khaas’ initiative to hold SAPS accountable received praise from some, others defended the practice, arguing that officers often go beyond their duty to respond to emergencies, even while off-duty. Supporters of law enforcement pointed out the challenges officers face, with some believing that the presence of police vehicles in residential areas might actually serve as a deterrent to crime.

Local commentators raised questions, with one user, Zali Nxabi, stating, “So according to you this van must be idling and in operation 24/7. When he goes home someone else must use it? Does it not occur to you that vans are allocated by sector and that one is only in use when his team is on duty?” Meanwhile, another user, Xolani Williams, added, “You will never know how important it is for a police officer to have a vehicle at home; sometimes they go out of their way to attend to a serious crime whilst off duty.”

Calls for Greater Accountability

The Citizen reached out to Colonel Mavela Masondo for a statement on the incident, but he was unavailable at the time of publication. As law enforcement agencies navigate resource limitations and public scrutiny, cases like these underscore the need for clearer regulations and transparent practices regarding police vehicle usage.

With communities like Pretoria advocating for accountability, SAPS may need to address these recurring concerns to reassure the public of its commitment to safeguarding resources and enhancing safety across South Africa.

Also read: Durban Police Bust Fake ‘Home Affairs Office’ Marrying Off SA Women to Foreign Nationals