Speaker notes for Police Minister General Bheki Cele at the handing over of DPCI vehicles in Pretoria, 19 August 2024

SPEAKER NOTES FOR POLICE MINISTER GENERAL BHEKI CELE AT THE HANDING OVER OF DPCI VEHICLES IN PRETORIA, 19 AUGUST 2024

 
National Head, DPCI, Lt General(Dr/Adv) SG Lebeya
Acting Deputy National Head, DPCI, Major General DM Molatjana
Divisional Commissioner for National Priority Offences Operations 
Provincial Heads, DPCI
Component Heads, DPCI
Section Heads present
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

Good Afternoon to you all.
 

It is undeniable that police work is enhanced, when the men and women in blue have access to the required tools or trade. 
 

We do believe capacitation of the police service must begin with bolstering its human and physical resources. 
 

This administration’s quite intentional in this regard and continues to prioritise the capacitation of both personnel and physical resources.
 

What is very clear is that transport resources are an indispensable addition in the fight against day-to-day crime as well as organized illegalities.
 

This afternoon, we are gathered to witness the handing over of resources that will prove very useful for the country’s priority crime investigations.
For 2023/24 financial year, the DPCI has procured 62 motor vehicles.

40 VW Polo sedans

22 VW Golf 8 GTI.
 

There is no doubt these vehicles will have a major impact in the fight against crime and will beef-up rapid response of the DPCI.
 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

To the average man on the street, these may be just cars.
 

But for the DPCI- the ability to swiftly respond to intelligence information and act on a crime that is about to be committed; These vehicles can mean a difference between life and death.
 

It is through these vehicles that DPCI detectives are able to attend to court cases and give valuable evidence on their investigations, in order for justice to be served. 
 

When organised crime gangs and those who kill police officers attempt to flee, using high-powered vehicles; these cars will ensure we are on their toes and we stop them in their tracks.
 

So it is not just vehicles, this is part of capacitation plan to provide sufficient resources to cater for the needs and purposes of the DPCI.
 

The increased fleet will improve on response time as well as broaden the footprint of the DPCI throughout the country. 
 

General Lebeya and your management team,
The deployment of these vehicles must be executed with utmost care and diligence.

I implore managers to ensure that these cars and all vital resources of the SAPS, be used to foster community relations.

It is a non negotiable that these resources also go towards creating a safe and secure environment for the citizens of this country.

To the officers who will be driving these cars on a daily; Remember that these vehicles have been procured for a specific purpose.

The branding of each vehicle also serves as a marketing tool of the Directorate during crime awareness campaigns as well as visibility during the execution of disruptive planned operations. 

I am handing over these vehicles today with great pride and joy knowing that the communities will be the main benefactors of improved services.
 

In closing, Maphoyisa, 
 

It goes without saying that these vehicles are not here for your personal pleasure.

At ALL times, use these tools of trade, responsibly.
 

These cars are here to improve your work and make a difference in the country’s fight against crime and criminality.
 

So, go out there and arrest those that are enriching themselves with grant funds meant for the poor. 

GO hard on serious organized and give those gangs and cartels a hard time.
 

Commercial and serious corruption investigations must be dealt a heavy blow.
 

Leave no room for criminality to breathe, grow or thrive.

I thank you!!!