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In the wake of rampant gun violence across the Western Cape, the South African Police Service's (SAPS) decision to issue a tender for a new armoured vehicle, the Mobile Adjustable Rescue/Assault System (MARS) vehicle, has been met with staunch criticism from former top police officials and crime prevention activists. These parties suggest that this move might be a misguided attempt to address the complex issue of gang-related shootings in the region.
The Western Cape has recently witnessed horrifying instances of mass shootings, specifically in Atlantis and Bishop Lavis, with fatalities and injuries that have sent shock waves through the community. In response, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, has directed Anti-Gang Unit detectives to commence a manhunt for the shooters involved in these incidents. As the region looks for solutions, the SAPS has concluded the submission process for the procurement of the MARS vehicle, potentially incorporating it into their operational fleet.
The MARS vehicle, as detailed on defence websites, is designed to transport a dozen officers and equipped to handle urban combat scenarios. It features a significant internal height to accommodate standing officers and is engineered to withstand bullet fire from assault rifles, such as AK-47s, hand grenades, and includes an emergency exit. Such specifications spotlight the extreme nature of the operational environment that the SAPS is preparing for. However, this procurement has not gone without criticism.
Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for the Minister of Police, and National Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, have withheld comments on the tender. Critics, including Major General Jeremy Vearey, echo sentiments that while the MARS vehicle may signal an intention to fortify police capabilities, there is a deeper necessity for strategic approaches to gang violence beyond a boost to firepower and equipment.
The stark comparison of the SAPS's tactic to that of the LAPD's historical failures in South Central Los Angeles was also drawn, highlighting concerns of a securocratic inclination rather than a service-oriented, community policing approach. Fight Against Crime, a local activist group, emphasized the necessity to first address the pressing resources deficit at police station levels rather than investing in high-end artillery vehicles.
Ward councils like Angus Mckenzie have suggested that instead of channeling funds into combat vehicles, there should be focus on enhancing the skills of law enforcement officers and providing them with fundamental resources to efficiently perform their duties. Inadequate basic equipment, such as communication devices and bulletproof vests, remains a significant hurdle.
The intensifying debate around the SAPS MARS vehicle tender comes at a time when the community is urgently seeking effective and intelligent strategies to curb the high tide of crime in the region. The cry for a practical and sustainable solution over military-grade intervention continues as the region reels from the effects of ongoing violence.