PARLIAMENT, CAPE TOWN

Police resources, including air wing helicopters and planes, continue to assist police in crime-reduction operations and from time to time, these resources would require maintenance in order to ensure continual utilization.

“There are 19 aircraft currently flying and these include helicopters as well as other planes.  30 aircrafts are currently being serviced or have been grounded. Only six of these planes were ground before December 2012,” stated the Minister.

Minister Mthethwa was responding to a Parliamentary question on how many South African Police Service (SAPS) aircrafts are in sound operating condition per air wing unit, how much flying time remains on each aircraft and when was each aircraft last serviced and how many are currently grounded.

“Our air wing fleet should not be viewed in isolation of our broader crime-fighting initiatives.  We work as a collective.  That is why from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 a total number of 3 880 planned crime prevention and combating actions were conducted to enhance this integrated approach.  During the same period police conducted nationally, 3 578 roadblocks, 68 633 vehicle patrols, 285 air patrols, 109 454 foot patrols, 910 borderline patrols, 2 620 vessel patrols.”

Some of the SAPS fleet is not necessary new hence the Minister recognises the need to frequent upgrades and maintenance.  He stressed that during such upgrade processes, there needs to be a clear operational plan so that the fight against crime is not compromised.

“We want to reiterate that whilst emphasis should be on cost effectiveness in the maintenance of these aircrafts, we shall also not risk the lives of our pilots and passengers.  To this end, we emphasize safety first approach,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Minister Mthethwa revealed that 140 SAPS members were charged in disciplinary hearings as a result of loss of firearms during the 2012/1013 financial year. It needs to be noted that not all firearms were lost as a result of negligence and that in most instances, such losses occurred when police were responding to crime callouts or that they were attacked.

“Three years ago, SAPS introduced an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) system aimed at ensuring greater accountability and responsibility over firearms in the hands of our police officers.”

“Whilst we welcome some of these interventions, we have now stressed to management to strengthen internal disciplinary and punishable measures against any police officer who loses his or her firearm as a result of negligence,” stated the Minister.

Zweli Mnisi
Spokesperson to the Minister of Police
Ministry of Police
Mobile: +27 (0)82 045 4024