Hon Mofokeng, the department is only in possession of verified information as from 1 April 2008 to 31 January 2010, extracted from the departmental systems in response to this question.
A total of 230 members of the SA Police Service, the SAPS, were disciplined after they were charged for reckless and negligent driving following their involvement in car accidents; and 293 members were charged. A total of 10 420 vehicles were written off as a result of accidents between 1 January 2005 and 28 February 2010.
The policeman who shot himself in Khayelitsha, as referred to in the question, had no previous records and/or sanctions against him. In the year 2009, he was, on two occasions, involved in car accidents which resulted in his appearance before the station collision committee. As a precautionary measure, his authority to drive state vehicles was suspended for a period of three months during which he was redeployed to perform community service centre duties.
On Monday, 15 February 2010, whilst chasing a suspect vehicle, he was involved in an accident with a state vehicle where he collided with another state vehicle. On Friday, 19 February 2010, whilst driving a state vehicle, he collided with a private vehicle after which he, unfortunately, shot himself. It is worth mentioning that the member referred to was the only constable deployed as a sector commander and excelled in the performance of his duties. Perhaps, on the issue of the 10 420 vehicles that we spoke about, there are many possible reasons advanced to this effect: firstly, depending on where the vehicles are located; it is a generally known fact that police vehicles travel a huge number of kilometres, annually - they are expected to patrol communities, transport people to court, attend to complaints, and, in some cases, to change their shifts. As the kilometres build up, it is possible that the maintenance and roadworthy condition of the vehicle deteriorates.
Secondly, if one disaggregates the number it translates to about 2 000 vehicles which are being written off yearly as a result of accidents, this means that a relatively high number of vehicles are being written off. This figure should be disaggregated to understand the exact causes. Below are some of the possible reasons for accidents and vehicles being written off: firstly, vehicle damaged while pursuing criminals in car chases - this is plausible; secondly, vehicles damaged in pursuits through rough terrain, particularly in rural or mountainous areas - this is also plausible; thirdly, vehicles damaged through poor maintenance management - this is also traceable on records that show how long the average police vehicle spends in the SAPS maintenance garage. Thank you.