South Africa's police car fleet may not boast the luxury of Dubai's million-dollar exotics or the Lamborghinis used by Italian forces for high-speed organ transport. However, what it lacks in prestigious brand names, it compensates for with the sheer number of performance cars it operates. A single department recently received a fleet of 50 Volkswagen Golf GTIs. The Durban Metro Police Service is now utilizing an impressive number of brand-new hot hatches. These GTIs are based on the pre-facelift version, distinguishable by their headlights, which was retired earlier this year with the release of the more powerful Mk 8.5.
Sharp-eyed observers will notice one car that stands out—a smaller Polo, which doesn't seem to be the sporty GTI version. Operating in the country's third-most populous city, the DMPS plans to implement advanced driver training courses to ensure officers can handle these high-powered vehicles. The official announcement came in response to social media comments criticizing the officers' driving skills:
"Equipping officers with the skills to handle high-performance vehicles responsibly is crucial not only for their safety but also for maintaining respect on the roads. Proper training will ensure that these vehicles are used effectively for law enforcement rather than creating additional issues."
As part of the new police college plans, advanced driver training is being introduced to address these concerns. The goal is to have well-trained officers who can navigate complex situations while ensuring public respect and proper vehicle maintenance. The DMPS acknowledges concerns about misuse and is working to prevent it through appropriate training and oversight.
These GTIs are not the only ones acquired by South African authorities this year. In February, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations Unit (Hawks) received 22 hot hatches. Hawks is an elite law enforcement agency that investigates organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious offenses. The choice of the Golf GTI makes sense; it's practical, relatively affordable, and has enough power to catch speedsters or transport suspects, while also being comfortable for daily use.
In South Africa, the Golf GTI starts at the equivalent of $47,500 before adding police equipment. The ZA-spec Golf GTI is automatic-only, a trend that will continue with the facelifted model since VW has discontinued the six-speed manual globally, including for the Golf R with its mid-cycle facelift.
