Gauteng DA accuses provincial govt of failing to prioritise residents' safety

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the Gauteng government of failing to prioritise the safety of residents in the province, citing that there are more than 100 unfilled vacancies for mechanics within the provincial police department. 

The party believes this has contributed to delays in the repair of South African Police Service (SAPS) vehicles, which often leads to a shortage of crime-fighting resources. 

DA's Shadow MEC of Gauteng Community Safety said this undermines crime prevention efforts.

"This is unacceptable and shows that the Lesufi-led government is not prioritising the protection of the people of Gauteng or addressing unemployment. Many crimes could have been prevented if these positions had been filled, helping police combat crime by ensuring that vehicles are readily available for policing.” 

Meanwhile, in response to DA's questions, Premier Panyaza Lesufi wrote that the posts can only be filled by applicants who have the required skills and qualifications.