King William's Town - The SAPS Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lt General Celiwe Binta had handed over 12 high performance vehicles to several clusters in an effort to enhance the festive season crime-fighting campaign.
The festive season operation, dubbed 'Duty Calls', is in full swing.
The operation was launched on October 11 and since then, more than 1 000 suspects have been arrested for various crimes ranging from car theft, car hijacking, possession of suspected stolen vehicles, and goods with an estimated value of R250 000 had been recovered.
"I believe these resources will become an additional arsenal to complement our already existing resources with SAPS. We are acting decisively against criminals who torment our society," said Binta.
According to police spokesperson Lt Colonel Sibongile Soci, the highway patrol vehicles will increase police visibility on highways, and will be an impediment to any possible criminal activities there.
The fleet of cars included four Golf GTIs, two Toyota Hilux double cabs and four BMWs.
Monwabisi Kalima, 28, a resident from Mdantsane, said it was important that the cars were actually used by the police to fight crime, otherwise it would be a waste of tax payers money.
"We are having problems where you call the police station and you're told that there are no vehicles and sometimes police arrive the following day," said Kalima.
Binta assured members of the community that she would make sure that the vehicles did what they were purchased to do.
"People who have problems with how police vehicles are utilised should inform their cluster commanders or even take their complaints to the provincial police headquarters," said Binta.
Binta said the festive season was a difficult season for the police but they were working hard to make sure that South Africa was a safe place to live in.
"All of us South African patriots have a daunting task ahead of us, which is one we intend to win, or at least make a difference," she said.
