February 3, 2005
By Tabisa Mntengwana
LIGHTS - check. Tyres - check. Two-way radio - check. After a thorough inspection the new Metro Police vehicle is ready to hit the streets.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was presented with 13 new Ford Bantams at a ceremony at Fleet Africa's head office in Elandsfontein this week.
The vehicles are to replace cars that are older than two years, or that have reached 120 000 kilometres, says JMPD's head of fleet management, Vincent Manda. "This is according to a strict contract with Fleet Africa to replace cars of this nature," says Manda.
Fleet Africa is the company that, in terms of an outsourcing policy with the City of Johannesburg, provides City departments with a range of vehicles, ensuring they are well maintained and roadworthy.
The new additions to the Metro Police fleet, already painted in their familiar blue and orange markings, will be used by two different units: six vehicles will be used to monitor the speed of road-users while the other seven will be used by the overload unit. The overload unit monitors heavy-duty vehicles, checking they are not overloaded.
After the formal signing of the lease agreement, the Metro Police officers took their new acquisitions for a drive around the Elandsfontein premises.
While Fleet Africa is responsible for the regular maintenance, it is up to the Metro Police department to ensure they are well looked after on a daily basis.
JMPD line managers check the vehicles. "We regularly check these vehicles, especially if the officer has taken the car home," says Manda.
Before officers are presented with departmental cars, they attend two-week advanced drivers' courses. "Even though we know the officers have their drivers' licences, it is our duty to make sure they attend this course for their safety," Manda adds.
The course has helped cut down on the number of road accidents. "Over a period accidents have declined drastically and we are happy to have introduced this course," he says.
Since the City transferred its fleet of vehicles to Fleet Africa the relationship between the two has been strong.
Regular meetings are held to give feed back on the progress of the cars. "We ensure the standard of the vehicle is good and we are impressed with the performance so far," says Fleet Africa's compliance manager, Ian Davies.
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