The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has launched a R16.1 million safety and security fleet to strengthen crime prevention, emergency response, and disaster management across the metro.
The initiative, led by Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and MMC for Safety and Security Luyanda Lawu, forms part of a broader R43 million investment in frontline services.
The allocation includes two vehicles for Metro Police valued at R555,600, two fire tankers delivered with two additional tankers pending valued at R7.9 million, traffic and licensing vehicles including a VW Transporter, a Mercedes Fuso breakdown truck and two Toyota bakkies valued at R4.45 million, security services vehicles valued at R3.13 million, and three disaster management vehicles valued at R1.75 million.
Additionally, communication equipment to the value of R4.7 million has been delivered, with a further R4.1 million in equipment expected, strengthening coordination across safety services.
Lobishe said the investment is aimed at improving safety and public confidence, stating: “At its core, this is an investment in people’s safety, dignity, and confidence in government. A safer city is a more liveable city, and a more investable city.”
Lawu added that the new resources will improve emergency response, saying: “When communities face crime, fires, or disasters, the municipality must be equipped, present, and able to act decisively.”
The municipality said the procurement complied with financial regulations and confirmed that additional specialised firefighting vehicles worth R27 million are still expected.
