South Africa: Media Statement - Police Committee Chairperson Condemns Reported Investigation Into Gqeberha Flying Squad Members Who Used Personal Vehicles to Combat Crime

What the report says

Parliament of South Africa said the chairperson of its Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has criticized reports that members of the Gqeberha Flying Squad could face an internal investigation after using personal vehicles to carry out policing duties. The issue centers on a shortage of official police vehicles, which the statement says has left the unit unable to operate with the tools it needs.

According to the parliamentary statement, Cameron argued that officers should not be punished for trying to respond to crime and protect communities when SAPS has not provided enough vehicles. He said the Flying Squad members acted with commitment in difficult conditions and should be recognized for maintaining public safety in the Eastern Cape, rather than disciplined for improvising.

The statement also says Cameron has previously visited the area and raised the vehicle shortage during oversight work, but that limited progress has been made in addressing the problem. He described the lack of functional vehicles as an ongoing concern for the police committee, which has repeatedly flagged shortages of police transport during oversight visits.

The broader significance is that the episode highlights continuing resource constraints inside the South African Police Service, especially in units expected to respond quickly to emergencies. The statement urges senior management to focus on equipping the Gqeberha Flying Squad properly instead of investigating officers who used their own cars to keep working.