Pretoria: The South African Police Service (SAPS) has strengthened its fight against serious and violent crime with the addition of two state-of-the-art helicopters and 12 armoured vehicles to its fleet.

According to South African Government News Agency, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola stated that the new resources, comprising two H125: ZT-REC and ZS-HGA helicopters, along with 12 Marshall vehicles, will significantly enhance operational capacity, improve response times, and bolster national security.

At the official handover ceremony, Masemola emphasized the critical role the additional fleet will play in enhancing SAPS’ operational capacity and capability, as well as strengthening national security. The helicopters and vehicles are set to boost the work of specialised SAPS units, including the Special Task Force, Tactical Response Team, National Intervention Unit, Public Order Policing, and Visible Policing.

Masemola highlighted the importance of the new fleet in responding to organized crime incidents such as cash-in-transit heists, hijackings, armed robberies, and other violent crimes. He noted that the helicopters will enable SAPS to respond rapidly to crime scenes and serve the South African public effectively.

The Commissioner also linked the new equipment to the intensification of Operation Shanela II, a nationwide campaign targeting violent crime hotspots through raids, roadblocks, and stop-and-search operations. He reported that over 17,247 suspects were arrested recently for various offences, including the illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and drugs, showcasing the dedication of SAPS officers.

Expressing gratitude to the officers for their perseverance despite resource constraints, Masemola mentioned that the new fleet was procured to ease their work and improve service delivery. He assured the officers that management is committed to providing the necessary tools to enable them to perform optimally.

Masemola reminded members who will operate the new equipment to exercise maximum care, as the helicopters and vehicles will be distributed to specialised units across the country.