An alarming new report reveals that more than 12% of Gauteng’s police fleet is currently out of service, with some stations operating with up to 31% of their vehicles in the workshop — severely affecting law enforcement capacity in high-crime areas like Ennerdale and Tarlton.

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The data, disclosed in a written response by Premier Panyaza Lesufi to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, shows that 710 out of 5,630 police vehicles were standing idle at the end of May. The figures do not include trailers, which make up over 12% of the broader support fleet.

Crime Soars Where Fleet Is Grounded

At least five police stations reported that over a quarter of their vehicle fleets are non-operational. Ennerdale, where 31% of the fleet is down, is grappling with a surge in violent crimes. It ranked sixth in Gauteng for reported murders, eighth for carjackings, and is listed in the top 30 nationally for truck hijackings and kidnappings, according to the most recent crime statistics.

Tarlton follows closely, with 30% of vehicles out of service, adding pressure to officers tasked with policing expansive and sometimes remote areas.

DA Shadow MEC for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch, has criticized the provincial government for failing to keep police vehicles operational.

“The administration is surrendering community safety to opportunistic criminals who consistently find ways to stay ahead of inadequate policing efforts,” Bosch said. She has demanded a clear timeline for the repairs, warning that a grounded fleet is giving criminals a dangerous head start.

Causes and Consequences

The report detailed a wide range of issues contributing to the vehicle breakdowns — from brake and engine failures to electrical and fuel system malfunctions. Many vehicles reportedly suffer from multiple mechanical problems requiring extensive repairs.

Lesufi blamed the backlog on a shortage of qualified mechanics, adding that departments are attempting to re-prioritise existing vehicles to frontline operations to limit the impact on policing services.

Stations vary significantly in population density and land area, further complicating the problem. For example:

Ivory Park, with a fleet shortfall of 20%, covers just 28 km² but serves over 389,000 residents — the largest population in the province.
Alexandra has the highest population density, with 237,000 people in just 7 km², served by 54 operational vehicles — or 1 vehicle per 3,385 people.
By contrast, Bronkhorstspruit spans 1,430 km² with 47 vehicles for its 81,000 residents, while Cullinan covers 1,329 km² for just 56,000 people.

Despite stark differences in geography and demographics, both urban and rural stations are affected, indicating a systemic failure in vehicle maintenance.

Only Five Stations Fully Operational

Out of more than 140 police stations in Gauteng, only Boipatong, Fairland, Laudium, Norwood, and Sebenza are currently operating with their full complement of vehicles.

The rest face varying degrees of shortage, hampering response times and undermining community trust in policing.

As Gauteng battles both crime and limited resources, calls are growing for the provincial government to act swiftly, restore the police fleet, and ensure that residents in all precincts receive the protection they deserve.