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Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, welcomed the deployment of two armoured personnel carriers by Mossel Bay Municipality that he said were acquired as part of efforts to improve community safety.
Winde was there on Wednesday to attend the launch of the MAX 3 Troupees which can accommodate eight people and "are manufactured from high-quality ballistic material."
"Curbing crime of all kinds is a critical priority if we are to grow our economy. High levels of crime are a major impediment to growth and economic development," he said in a statement.
Municipal spokesperson Cornelle Carstens said the vehicles would be used in the prevention of illegal land occupation, and offer assistance and protection to municipal staff in infrastructure services, especially the Electricity Department, during the removal of illegal electricity connections.
She said the armoured vehicles, which have a price tag of R2.1 each, would also be used in the municipality's newly established K9 dog unit and provide support to the police's Public Order Policing Unit, where crowd control is needed.
Carstens said in such cases, the unit will operate strictly under the supervision and command of the police.
The Premier was accompanied on his visit by the provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen who said this was "an exciting moment for the residents of the entire area, and they can be proud of their municipality."
Allen said in due course the safety initiatives in the area will be strengthened when our K-9 Unit is also formally launched.
"This will provide yet another layer to creating a safer Western Cape where our people can live in dignity," he concluded.
