SAPS on 1st Quarter Performance

Meeting report

The Chairperson said the meeting was one of the most important of the year, and highlighted the importance of oversight and transparency within the SAPS and the proper allocation of funds.

Briefing by SAPS

Lt-Gen Stefanus Schutte, Deputy National Commissioner, Physical Resources Management, SAPS, introduced his delegation and presented the first quarter expenditure report, starting with the government’s 14 outcomes, of which the third outcome -- “All people in South Africa are, and feel, safe” -- dealt with safety and security.

He proceeded to outline the strategic direction of SAPS to ensure accountability. This focused on reduced levels of contact crime, an efficient and effective criminal justice system, South African borders being effectively defended, protected, secured and well managed, a secure cyber space, ensuring domestic stability, a secure identity for all persons in South Africa, and a reduction in corruption in the public and private sectors.

The eleventh outcome aimed to “create a better South Africa, a better Africa and a better world,” with a sub-outcome calling for “a peaceful and secure Africa.” This outcome was achievable through the deployment of SAPS members, in accordance with Cabinet decisions. This highlighted the importance of membership the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation, Interpol participation, addressing trans-national crime, and bi-national/multinational engagement with organisations such as BRICS and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Lt-Gen Schutte referred to outcome 12 – “An efficient, effective and development-orientated public service” – and stressed the importance of service delivery quality and access, human resource management and development, business processes and systems, decision rights and accountability, as well the need to tackle corruption effectively.

The key ministerial priorities that determined the strategic direction of the SAPS were:

- Effective transformation of the police;

- Smart policing and engagement with the criminal justice System;

- Ensuring that the pace of building new police stations was accelerated;

- Accelerating the implementation of public order policing policy;

- Strengthening of crime intelligence;

- Capacitating the re-established Family, Child and Sexual Offences and stock theft units;

- Focused recruitment of personnel to attract appropriate skills;

- Effective training of SAPS personnel;

- Command and control, professionalism and accountable policing;

- Implementing rural safety that embraces all rural communities.

He said that as of June 30 2014, SAPS had spent 22.8% of their budget. In comparison, first quarter expenditure for 2014/2015 was on a par with the previous two years. Details of spending, by programme, were presented:

Programme 1 – Administration. Annual estimate R15.3 bn; expenditure R3.2 bn (20.6%). Programme 2 – Visible Policing. Annual estimate R37.0 bn; expenditure R8.7 bn (23,6%). Programme 3 – Detective Services. Annual estimate R15.2 bn; expenditure R3.5 bn (22,7%). Programme 4 – Crime Intelligence. Annual estimate R2.9 bn; expenditure R696 m (24.1%). Programme 5 – Protection & Security Services. Annual estimate R2.1bn; expenditure R523m (25.2%).

The total estimate for all programmes stood at R72.5 bn. Expenditure stood at R16.6 bn. This equated to 22.8% of total expenditure for the first quarter.

Looking at expenditure according to economic classification, R16.2 bn of the R68.9 bn estimate was spent in the first quarter, representing 23,4%. The bulk of this amount -- R13.6 bn -- went to compensation of employees (25,2% of budget), while only 17% - R2.5 bn -- of the goods and services budget was spent. Transfers and subsidies consumed R169.6m (23%), while payment for capital assets, at R237.7m, was only 8,4% of budget.

Although indicative of nature, the expenditure of each quarter in a financial year would not be precisely equal, and the total cumulative spending of 22.8% of the budget in the first three months was similar to previous years. Compensation of employees for the period -- 25.2% of the allocated budget -- was fairly on course, although additional funds would be required in the adjustments estimate to cater for the higher than anticipated salary increase signed in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Chamber (PSCBC) for all departments.

Lt-Gen Schutte also provided the Committee details of expenditure for the various sub-programmes within the categories of administration, visible policing, detective services, crime intelligence and protection and security services. (See presentation)

It was noted that the total programme was in line with the linear benchmark of 25%, although there was pressure in the area of VIP protection services relating to travel and subsistence, as a result of carrying out protection duties.

Discussion

The Chairperson asked about the process of appointing a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Lt-Gen Schutte said that he did not want to second guess the Police Commissioner over the process of appointing a new CFO, as this would be unethical.

The Chairperson asked about the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), and provincial heads being appointed within the unit.

Lt-Gen Schutte said that under sub-programme 4, they had made funds available to attend to the greater needs of the provinces. He had spoken to Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Arno Lamoer, about greater involvement from the DPCI at the provincial level. He had referred some of the matters to Lt-Gen Anwar Dramat, head of the DPCI.

The Chairperson asked about the Terrestrial Trunk Radio (TETRA 1) project.

Lt-Gen Schutte acknowledged that TETRA 1 was a difficult topic, given that there were pending court actions over the rollout of the project. He acknowledged the TETRA programmes in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, but declined to comment further.

Mr J Maake (ANC) asked about the new police stations in Phillipi.

Lt-Gen Schutte described meetings that had been held with Treasury. Treasury was in discussion with the SAPS on the building of new police stations.

The meeting was adjourned.