DIMBAZA — The Eastern Cape’s police command has redistributed 135 vehicles to under‑resourced stations as officials released the province’s latest crime figures covering April to June.
Where the new cars went
Provincial police commissioner Vuyisile Ncata handed over the fleet in Dimbaza on Wednesday. The package comprises 78 detective cars and 57 support vehicles, allocated to stations identified as lacking capacity to respond effectively to crime.
| Vehicle type | Number |
|---|---|
| Detective cars | 78 |
| Support vehicles | 57 |
| Total | 135 |
The handover was attended by community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha, and took place alongside the release of provincial crime statistics for the second quarter.
Mixed crime picture for April–June
The figures show a modest improvement in some violent crimes, but growing challenges in other areas. Most notably:
- Murder fell by 6.4%, equivalent to 70 fewer murders compared with the same quarter last year.
- Rape and sexual assault cases also decreased in the reporting period.
- However, attempted murder rose, and malicious damage to property increased by nearly 6%.
- Police reported more business break‑ins and an uptick in items stolen from cars.
Officials singled out parts of Nelson Mandela Bay as continuing trouble spots, with KwaDwesi and Motherwell still recording high numbers of murders and attempted murders.
"Behind every crime statistic is a person, a family, and a community affected by crime," Ncata said at the Dimbaza event.
Policing measures and community engagement
The vehicle handover was accompanied by on‑the‑ground enforcement and community engagement. Before the event, police mounted a roadblock on the R63 near Qonce to inspect vehicles and enforce traffic regulations. Delegates also visited factories in Dimbaza to consult with workers about robberies and vandalism affecting business operations.
MEC Nqatha combined the policing event with community support initiatives. He distributed 45 pairs of school shoes, bicycles and sanitary towels to local schoolchildren and urged residents to keep the peace ahead of the local government elections on 4 November.
What this means for communities
The deployment of 135 vehicles aims to bolster visibility and investigative capacity at stations that have been struggling. For communities, better‑equipped stations can mean quicker response times, improved case follow‑up and a stronger deterrent effect — provided vehicles are paired with sustained staffing, fuel, maintenance and operational support.
Provincial police spokespeople say the reallocation targets gaps in resources, but they also emphasised that reducing crime requires cooperation between law enforcement and communities to tackle persistent pockets of violence and property crime.
Practical information for residents
- Report suspicious activity to your local SAPS station and note the station reference when lodging cases.
- Use safety measures such as vehicle immobilisers and secure parking where possible to reduce theft from cars.
- Businesses should document stock and install basic security measures, and report break‑ins promptly to aid investigations.
Police and provincial leaders framed the repositioning of vehicles as an immediate step to strengthen frontline policing. Whether the redistribution translates into sustained reductions in attempted murders, vandalism and business crime will depend on follow‑through on staffing, maintenance budgets and ongoing community policing efforts.
Provincial authorities will publish further details as stations receive their vehicles and operational plans are rolled out.
