The City of Tshwane has appointed a new Deputy Commissioner Revo Spies at the Tshwane Metro Police Department's asset protection unit to address the scourge of vandalism and theft targeting municipal infrastructure, which has resulted in losses of millions of rands.
Spies has been commended for bringing a remarkable wealth of experience to his new role, boasting an illustrious career in law enforcement, that spans over four decades.
He embarked on his distinguished career in law enforcement in January 1983, joining the South African Police Force.
He later transitioned to the Pretoria Traffic Department, where he became a Registered Traffic Officer.
On April 1, 1991, Spies joined the Benoni Traffic Department, which subsequently merged with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, further expanding his experience and expertise in traffic law enforcement.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, praised Spies' extensive experience in both Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, adding that it has equipped him with the necessary expertise and insights to drive meaningful change.
He said the appointment aims to strengthen the unit's efforts in protecting municipal assets and preventing further losses.
Coetzee said: “For far too long the spectre of lawlessness has loomed over our city, manifesting in the rampant theft and deliberate sabotage of municipal infrastructure. These criminal acts not only threaten the essential services that our residents depend on but also cripple economic growth and erode public trust in our institutions. This administration firmly believes that we cannot stand idly by while criminals wreak havoc, looting and dismantling the very foundation of our service delivery.”
He highlighted that energy losses have skyrocketed from R470 million in the 2022/23 financial year to a projected R800m for 2024/25, marking a significant escalation in just two years.
“This staggering financial burden, directly attributable to rampant criminality, must be confronted head-on. Millions of rands worth of stolen and vandalised infrastructure have plunged communities into darkness, left businesses struggling for survival and put the quality-of-service delivery in jeopardy,” he said.
He said the current administration has allocated an additional R315m to enhance security services.
He explained that the R315m investment will enhance security services in Tshwane, with a multifaceted approach that includes increasing the presence of security personnel to deter and respond to threats and utilising state-of-the-art CCTV systems to monitor and secure key infrastructure.
Coetzee said: “With Deputy Commissioner Spies at the helm, our commitment to reclaiming our infrastructure has begun in earnest. Tshwane will not be held hostage, and this government will not be intimidated. We stand resolute, ready to protect our city. Together, we will prevail against the forces of criminality and restore the integrity of our public services.”