Medium Term Budget Policy Statement: hearings

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
6 November 2002
MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT: HEARINGS

Chairperson: Mr N Nene (ANC), Mr T Ralane (NCOP, ANC)

Documents handed out:
Presentation by South African Police Service (Appendix 1)
Letter from SAPS National Commissioner (Appendix 2)
Presentation by Department of Correctional Services
Presentation by Department of Justice:Overview of Projects and Activities
Impacting on the Protection Services Sector and in particular the IJS

SUMMARY
The Chair commended the Department of Safety, Department of Correctional Services and Department of Justice for working together to achieving positive objectives rectifying injustices. SAPS, representing the Department of Safety, stated that police stations would be built in central township areas and with consultation with the community to ensure best service. The Department of Correctional Services stated that there was a prison building programme being undertaken. The Justice Department addressed issues including increased protection for judicial officers due to Magistrate assassinations, maintenance orders, and Integrated Court System which, when implemented, had resulted in a substantial reduction of time taken for cases to be dealt with.

MINUTES
The Chair informed members that they were to hear the submissions of the Justice 'cluster' involving the Departments of Safety and Security, Correctional Services and Justice and Constitutional Development.

Department of Safety and Security
The submission was made by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Mr Louis Eloff, the Deputy National Commissioner of SAPS led the presentation and he was joined by Mr Schutte, Head: Financial Services.

Please refer to Appendix 1 and 2.

Discussion
Mr Nene (Chair) thanked Commissioner Eloff for a very encouraging account of the progress of SAPS and their work with the other Departments in the Cluster. He then opened the floor to questions from the Joint Committee.

The first question asked was if the reference to units of SAPS responsible for the investigation of crimes against women and children related to the CPUs and, if not, what was happening to these?

Commissioner Eloff said that, initially, SAPS had decided to move away from specialised units within the service and had hoped that each station would have its own officer specialised in dealing with sexual and violent offences against women and children. However, the decision was then taken that this issue was different. Accordingly the current 35 CPUnits were being transformed into Domestic Violence Units concentrating on crimes of this nature and were being deployed to 'blackspots' where there was a propensity for crimes being committed against women and children. These units were also having their vehicle capacity increased from 45 vehicles to 72 vehicles.

Mr Schutte confirmed that the Domestic Violence Act was being implemented but staff were still being trained on its terms and what was expected of them.

Mr Hanekom (ANC) said that often the solution did not lie in providing more money but on making sure that the money allocated was wisely spent. From his personal knowledge he knew that illiteracy levels amongst the police were extremely high. Would the new personnel which the Commissioner had explained were being trained result in the redeployment of these old officers to posts more suited to their capacities? Commissioner Eloff said that the real impact of the new officers would only be felt when they hit the street as they had been in training since 1 April 2002. However, he was delighted to report that any of the fresh intake were graduates. Competency testing and profiling was currently underway within the ranks and this would assist with redeploying of personnel to where they would be most effective. With regard to whether increased funds were required, Mr Schutte stressed that some of the policy decisions and laws were resulting in a need for more personnel. For example, sector policing needed more officers and the new child care laws meant that policing in that area had to become more intensive.

A member was concerned to know what steps would be taken to ensure that the use of civilians would not jeopardise the work of the service as previous use of civilians and volunteers had shown that sometimes these people were in partnership with the criminals. Commissioner Eloff said that the civilian personnel would be deployed to cover administrative duties which did not require a trained officer, what he referred to as a 'gun and badge' carrying post. Mr Schutte said they would undertake data processing or IT duties and so free the detectives and other officers from desk duties to go back out on the street. The experience of using volunteers had been very encouraging with a huge amount of genuine people offering to help SAPS with tasks as diverse as washing the cars to painting the stations. He applauded their efforts.

Several members expressed concerns that either police stations had been promised but had never been built, and that stations were situated in the wrong areas. The Department representatives accepted these concerns but said that the station in Langa, for example, was to be built from new funds and was not a relocation of funds from an existing project. Any members who had queries about specific stations were encouraged to write to Commissioner Eloff and he would undertake to find out what was causing the delay. There was a great need to relocate some police stations. Often the formerly 'white' areas would have a large police station whilst the far more densely populated township would have an understaffed satellite station. Even when the township had a station, it was often built on the periphery and difficult to access. This skewed the crime reporting figures badly as victims were not willing to travel great distances to report non-serious crimes. In future, stations were being built in central areas and with consultation with the community to ensure they were best served.

There was further questions relating to the racial spread of officers and bullying within the service. Commissioner Eloff agreed that in many cases 'white' areas were fully staffed by 'white' officers and 'black' areas by black officers. This was unsatisfactory in terms of service delivery and hindered attempts to combat racism in the force. By using affirmative action and due to the requirements of the Employment Equity Act the disparity was being addressed. Also Value Diversity Workshops were being held. Previously personnel had been redeployed or spoken to if they exhibited racist behaviour. Now, so long after the transformation to democracy, people were simply sacked as SAPS would not tolerate having racist personnel.

The representatives were asked what was being done to limit the abuse of resources, in particular the vehicle fleet? Mr Schutte explained that the National Inspectorate was being scaled down with local inspectorates being geared up which allowed for abuse of this type to be dealt with more comprehensively. There was also a pilot tracking system in operation with two cars which could say where the vehicle was, how fast it was travelling and the like. After the trial period they would be in a better position to say whether this should be extended. The supervising staff were also being retrained in order to deal with abuse by their subordinates.

A specific question was made with regard to the reference in section 3 of the National Commissioner's letter to the phasing out of microwave transmission. It was explained by Commissioner Eloff that the current 'Motorola' system was to be replaced. This would free the bandwidth to allow comercial cell phone users to use it as it had never been utilised by SAPS.

Ms Taljaard (DA) asked the SAPS representatives what the rationale was between the split of 'detective' and 'intelligence' functions? Was this related to the Scorpions or was there an intention to set up a SAPS version of the Scorpions? Commissioner Eloff explained that there was a policy of mutual exchange of information between SAPS and the Scorpions. There was no intention to alter this.

Ms Taljaard (DA) further asked if there had been sufficient increases in the budget to cover all the additional policy adjustments? Mr Schutte explained to the members that the method of reporting was now more transparent, so it seemed that SAPS were carrying out more objects, when really they had always been carried out but simply not specified separately in the report.

Ms Taljaard (DA) was particularly concerned that money was being reallocated from the Firearms Control Register budget when this would clearly be needed. However, she was informed that the purchasing of IT and vehicles from this budget was for items to be utilised in the management of the register and did not represent the funds being spent elsewhere.

A member asked what SAPS's HIV/AIDS programmes were in place. Commissioner Eloff said that the number of deaths in KZN was particularly high. SAPS had a comprehensive strategy and were working with the Swedish Government in implementing it. A full copy of the programme was available upon request.

Correctional Services
The Department of Correctional Services were represented by Mr Tshivhase, the Chief Financial Officer and Mr Makhani, the Director of Financial Planning. They outlined the aim of Correctional Services to be that an environment was created to allow for the proper management of prisons within the new democracy. Prisons were a costly exercise and the causes of crime needed to be looked at to ensure that people were not driven to crime. South African society had also placed a huge expectation on the personnel of Correctional Services where ordinary people were expected to effect extra-ordinary tasks - where even the prisoner's own community had failed to achieve this.

Correctional Services had no control over its influx and over 70% of its budget went to personnel costs. There was a prison building programme being undertaken because the communities, new legislation and the mindset of the judicial officers pointed to a sustained increase in the number of people held in prison.

Mr Makhani apologised to the Joint Committee that the figures presented to them did not show the true positive benefit to persons from previous disadvantaged communities because the most important figures were held at Provincial level and, due to the lateness of the request for this information, the Department could not co-ordinate collecting it. Also the problems with relation to the ghost Black Economic Empowerment companies, which were fronts for non-BEE companies should begin to phase out with the Prevention of Corruption Bill seeking to target the 'renter' in addition to the 'rentee'.

The figures showing the projected incomes from the farms were dependent upon the weather.

Discussion
Mr Hanekom (ANC) complained the figures presented gave no indication of what the Departments overall need in financial terms was. Could they give an average figure of their capital costs? He was told that there were no such figures available but that the service was overwhelmed. The prison capacity was 110 000 prisoners. As of today's figures there was in excess of 180 000 prisoners locked up.

Mr Hanekom (ANC) also complained that the reduction in Correctional Services' budget would be small by following BEE programmes and this was not one of the Department's Core Functions. Should they not simply ignore this and concentrate on service delivery? Mr Tshivhase said that this was the Departments attempt to do the right thing for the country and it was important anyway as prisoners had to be kept busy and try to help people. With regard to this, Ms Thompson (ANC-NCOP) asked the Department why they did not ask the Parliamentarians to assist with weeding out false BEE companies as members often had good information to hand.

Mr Hanekom (ANC), speaking as an ex-prisoner, said that although the Department had undergone a name change from 'Prisons' to "Correctional' Services, their emphasis must still be on punishment. Another member picked up on this theme too by saying that sometimes prison was too nice for the prisoners with too much emphasis on their human rights. The representatives from the Department rejected these positions by saying that their main function was to attempt to prevent recidivism. At present they were failing badly as over 65% of the prison population had two or more convictions. People who complained of prison conditions being too kind were invariably people who had never spent any time in prison. Confinement is punishment enough. And in any event, treating prisoners humanely had shown, the world over, to result in few management problems and less prison riots.

The representatives were asked why the Department did not fund more of its budget from the farm and factories it ran. It was explained to the members that Correctional Services could not trade on the open market as, firstly, it was unfair competition due to the negligible personnel costs and, secondly, the standard of the prison produce was too high. However, the Department was self-sufficient with regard to furniture and food and the Forestry Department also benefited greatly from collaboration with Correctional Services.

Ms Taljaard (DA) queried the representatives on their stance was with regard to public/private partnerships on the building of prisons. Mr Makhani said that this was an interesting subject. The United Kingdom had taken a staggered approach to 'contracting-out' of prison management with, initially building prisons which the private sector were asked to staff, then the private sector was asked to build and run prisons. South Africa had gone for the latter option but had had to pay the Bond on the building cost of the prison and for the prison manager. This resulted in a cost per prisoner per day in the private sector to be R230. In State built and managed prisons the cost was merely R95 per day per prisoner. There had also been problems with contracts being corruptly offered.

Ms Taljaard (DA) asked if the shift of allocation from Capital programmes to personnel was prompted by the Jali Commission? She was told the Commission, although it was still ongoing, had impacted upon the allocation of funds to personnel. The member persisted that if the overcrowding was so great, why was funding rolled over on the capital build programme? She was told that the Department of Public Works was responsible for the building process so Correctional Services could not set the pace of the building work.

Ms Thompson (ANC-NCOP) said she would like to remind the other two of the cluster's Departments that Correctional Services was not a dumping ground. She asked why it was that so many prisoners came out of prison having contracted HIV/AIDS or TB? Mr Makhani said that he could not speak with authority and was not trying to make excuses, but he felt the instances of these diseases within the prison population was probably a reflection of the reality of the communities. The conditions would certainly lead to an increase in the transmission of TB, however, unprotected sex, the main reason people gave for the transfer of HIV/AIDS, was not nearly as prevalent as the public wanted to believe. He said in many cases the prisoner had brought HIV/AIDS into the prison with him but that it had merely been detected there. However, as prison was a stressful environment, people's health deteriorated and illnesses they suffered from took hold much quicker than outside prison.

Justice and Constitutional Development
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development were represented by Mr Vusi Pikoli, the Director General, Mr Alan Mackenzie, the Chief Finance Officer and Mr Simon Jiyane, Managing Director of Court Services.

Mr Pikoli stated that if the police stopped arresting people today, the backlog of cases at the courts would still take two years to clear. He also assured the members that the Department of Justice did not see Correctional Services as a 'dumping ground' and respected the important and difficult work they carried out.

The Department of Justice had an historical overspend dating back to 1988 when Magistrates were awarded a huge salary increase, but the money was never passed over form the Treasury. Some of the budget allocation went to addressing this deficit but there was also the intention for all the relevant stakeholders to meet and discuss how this matter must be dealt with in future.

The Department would now consist of four Core Business Units, the newest one being the full incorporation of the Master's Office.

Another key concern of the Department was the assassination and violence sustained by Magistrates. The Cluster had approached the Cabinet and asked for additional funds to protect the judicial officers. This was granted and the money was spent on increasing the security surrounding Magistrates, Prosecutors and Judges. This was exacerbated by the historical problem that black and rural areas had poor service delivery which hampers the provision of security protection.

Whilst the Courts were increasing the number of cases they can deal with quite significantly, this was a double-edged sword as it would then exacerbate prison overcrowding conditions for convicted prisoners. This led to other areas of consideration such as restorative justice and community service as a form of punishment, which would help with combating crime without compromising safety.

Mr Mackenzie, the Chief Financial Officer, took the Joint Committee through the Department's financial position. He informed members that the Department acted as a 'postbox' for some other entities who received their monies from Justice, but Justice had no control over what they received or what they used it on. 77% of the overall monies received by the Department went on its Core Services with the remaining 23% being passed on.

The Department was projecting an overspend of R67 million unless more funds were forthcoming. Due to the system of reporting, the figures could only be supplied to the Committee on a half-yearly basis. The Department's annual budget was R207 million and, as of the half-year point, they had spent over R129 million. This represented 62% of the personnel budget and over 65% of Court Services total budget. In short, the Department did not have enough money to meet its current personnel levels. This was the result of a historic shortfall, when in 1988 Magistrates were awarded huge salary increases, but the money was never given to Justice to pay for this. To be fair, however, there was an under spend in the National Public Prosecution service so the over all budget deficit could be projected as R67 million.

The Department was currently mapping out the time cases take to proceed through the system which was having the positive benefit of showing where the under and over utilisation of services was occurring and personnel could be moved accordingly.

Mr Mackenzie focused on one key area, that of the problems encountered in attempting to alleviate poverty through the collection of Maintenance Orders. He said that the money was often not reaching the poor families. This had led the Department to seeking ways in which the collection of these Orders could be outsourced. The discussions with the Post Office had not ended in any agreement being reached and so the Department was now looking into the possibility of using private sector companies.

Mr Jiyane, Managing Director: Court Services, stressed that the Department's allocation would be used to intensify its contribution to the integrated justice system as, although there had been clear improvements, as a Department it was still not satisfied.

One such initiative was the Integrated Court System which, when implemented, had resulted in a reduction of the time taken for cases to be dealt with from 143 days to 85 days.

He was pleased to say that the system was working more effectively and systematically, which was difficult given the number of stakeholders involved. The Integrated Case Flow Management system was allowing for delays to be dealt with in a more uniform manner. Until now the rate that cases proceeded through the courts was largely determined by the Prosecutor and defendant. Magistrates were now under instruction to probe into the reasons for delays and, thereby, gain more control over the progress of cases.

He further commented on the fact that the Court personnel remained largely an inherited workforce from the previous regime. Therefore some of the allocation was to be targeted on reflecting a wider representation within the workforce. In addition, the demarcation of the magisterial boundaries was to be re-assessed to reflect the reality of the new South Africa.

Discussion
The first question addressed the poor condition of the Court buildings and asked what resources would be committed to rectifying this? Mr Mackenzie said the problem was that there were 747 lower courts alone. Adding the High and other Courts also increased the necessary maintenance costs. Capital works at present was almost R200 million and the Department was trying to concentrate on those court structures within the townships and other poor areas in order to rectify the historical injustice.

The representatives were pressed on why it took so long for even relatively simple civil actions to proceed through the Courts. They were also asked to outline how effective they were in reducing the backlog of cases. Mr Pikoli said that if no framework was in place for the cluster to co-ordinate its activities, then unnecessary delays could result. Therefore, the cluster approach and the co-ordinated Case Management strategies went a long way to assisting with this problem. The Court Centres sought to ensure that all the proprietary steps to launching an application in court was undertaken before the documents were submitted to the court. A member asked why it was that the Court was unable to deal with a Civil matter at the point when it was able to issue an interim order? Mr Pikoli said this was partially due to the problem of the procedural rules and partly abuse of process by some of the parties in that they settled on the 'steps of the court.'

Ms Taljaard said that she thought the biggest question issue was the Deposit Account and the Department's contingent liability. She had asked the Finance Minister two questions with regard to this but had failed to receive any response. She asked Mr Mackenzie if he could give any more information on the issue other than re-iterating that the Department did not receive Ministerial approval for an increase? Mr Mackenzie said that the issue of outsourcing had been raised with the National Treasury. Due to shortages in funding, the Department was increasingly reliant upon donor funding. The Contingent Liability was a difficult concept. Mr Mackenzie outlined the problem by way of example. He said that if Jack, who lived in Gauteng, owed Jill, who lived in the Western Cape, R500 through a Maintenance Order there were many difficulties involved in the collection if it. Firstly, Jack may write a letter saying 'enclosed is R500 for Jill' but he only includes R300. He sends the letter through unsecured post and it is opened en route. Even if it is received unopened, the pressure on the Courts at this time each month is so great they need to resort to volunteers to open the mail. Only after all these steps, is the received cashed written up into the cash received book and Justice then would have some means of charting, and thereby controlling, what happened to it.

The increase in money to the Department was intended to assist with the costs relating to managing its workload and not for capital expenses. The Department had asked for R100 million and believed it was to be afforded R10 million. It was currently looking at ways to outsource the Deposit Account which cost estimates which ranged between 0 - R500 million. The zero cost was an interesting proposal from the Post Office, Standard Bank and Accentua. They said they would run the system, but that Justice would forfeit any interest on the fund. As Justice did not receive any interest on the monies at present, it truly was a non-cost option. Sounding less impressed, Mr Mackenzie said another option was that the Department could appoint a Transaction Advisor and get a report in a few years on the best way forward.

The representatives were asked about the public safety issue around violent criminals escaping from courts and why the process was not transparent enough in order that the problem could be clearly identified. Mr Pikoli said that this was a problem but that Justice could only do so much as they did not have a trained capacity to provide protection services. They were reliant upon working with the other cluster departments. However, Justice were looking into legislative changes which would allow postponements of court hearing to be carried out in the absence of the awaiting trial prisoner, and so limit their appearance in court and minimise the risk of escape.

Ms Taljaard (DA) asked why the money earmarked for the Child Justice Centres had been rolled over when they centres were urgently needed. Mr Mackenzie said these had been piloted in a few areas to see if the wider system had the capacity to work effectively with them. The rollover was very unfortunate and had delayed the process dramatically. The problem was that the architects of the scheme were SAPS with Justice merely meeting the cost. Justice was prevented from paying out the money until the contract was completed. But as the accounting method was not an accrual system, and the works were to take place over two accounting periods, the construction works had to stop until Justice received confirmation that the monies were to be included in the next year's budget allocation. He was very disappointed by this.

Ms Taljaard (DA), whilst declaring a personal interest in the issue, asked why the Represented Political Parties Fund had not been increased at least in line with inflation. Mr Mackenzie said that this was one of the amounts which Justice was merely the 'postbox' for so it neither motivated for not had any control over the sum. He said however, that there seemed no reason why this should not have been increase in line with inflation.

On the subject of plea-bargaining, Mr Pikoli said that it was still too early to say with any certainty which effect the legislation would have on the justice system and there was still a great deal of training to be carried out.

As the meeting had run over time, the chair asked the members to write down any further questions. He thanked the Justice Department on its presentation and said that the cluster as a whole had shown that they work well together and this was to their immense credit.

The meeting was adjourned.

Appendix 1
JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING - WEDNESDAY 6 NOV 2002
PRESENTATION - SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

Honourable Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to firstly express the appreciation of the South African Police Service for the opportunity to brief the Joint Committee.

The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement tabled in the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance on the 29^th of October this year seeks to address a number of priorities. These priorities range from poverty reduction and extending social assistance to a growing international role through increased regional representation and support for the African Union and NEPAD.

Of the key focal areas identified by the Committee the areas of Expanded Capacity in the Safety and Security Sector (Protection Services) and, to an extent, the area of employment creation is of specific relevance to the SAPS.

Chapter 5 and 6 of the Budget Policy Statement also specifically refer to areas such as expanding capacity in the safety and security sector to prevent and combat crime, additional resources to address crimes against women and children, supplementary infrastructure allocations, the adoption of more localised (sector) policing and the increase of SAPS personnel.

Chairperson, our briefing will focus on these areas:

I must however firstly confirm the assertion in the Budget Policy Statement to the effect that the 2003 Budget builds on, and consolidates the policy priorities laid down in the 2001 and 2002 policy statements. In the instance of the South African Police Service this is indeed in keeping with the policy directions of Government which forms the framework for the 2002 - 2005 strategic plan of the South African Police Service.

We are of the opinion that alignment is taking place between policies, strategies and budget allocation. We are happy to confirm that this is also the case within the Police where the funds internally are allocated in terms of our priorities.

Key obstacles to the implementation of our strategies which, as mentioned, are aligned to the policy directions of Government, have been infrastructure shortcomings and the issue of personnel shortages.

In this regard I am pleased to confirm that the budget allocations to our department have enabled us to, with specific reference to the issues raised in Chapter 5 and 6:

maintain implementation of our strategic plan which is focussed on the prevention and combatting of crime and the improvement of Service Delivery
fully resource by the end of this financial year already, the units of the SAPS responsible for the investigation of cases involving crimes against women and children
increase our personnel with 28, 560 additional personnel over the period 2002 to 2005. This is an increase of 16 200 police officials and 12 360 civilian employees. These civilian employees will enable the release of further trained police officials currently involved in the performance of administration duties. Important to note is that personnel losses during this period will be replaced with existing funds meaning that the 28, 560 is a gain. Of course the bonus in this regard is the creation of employment.
implement our concept of empowerment of localised policing through the implementation of specifically sector policing, a strategy dependent on additional personnel. The addressing of issues of Domestic Violence and specifically violence against women and children is of course also an important facet of sector policing.
improve on the conditions of our police stations and build new stations in areas where there is a dire need, ostensibly those areas that have been historically deprived of access to policing. Heartening to note is the fact that, in addition to whatever additional amount is to be allocated for the 2003 to 2006 MTEF period, an additional R41 million was recently allocated to us for use in this financial year. This is being wisely spent to improve service delivery in areas such as Tsolo, Thabong, Kanyamazane, Batho, Kwa Mashu, Langa and Mdantsane. An additional police station for Inanda is also in the pipeline for 2003
modernize our vehicle fleet and IT infrastructures.
together with our partners in the Criminal Justice System, implement our IJS modernisation strategy integrating relevant systems and linking the IT systems of the SAPS, Justice, Correctional Services and Social Development

The funding for the areas referred to is already included in our baseline. The allocation of the 2003/4 budget has not yet been finally approved and once finalized will further enhance our capacity. I do not think it appropriate to mention figures. I must however make an exception with regard to the payment of death benefits.

As you are aware Cabinet has already approved the payment of death benefits for police officials who are murdered. This will bring some relief to our members and those whom they leave behind. All indications are that the family of such a member will receive a once off cash payment of R200,000, in addition to whatever other benefits they may be entitled. For this we are very grateful albeit that it is a small compensation for the loss of a life - specifically a protector of the community.

Honourable Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen

I have not gone into the details of our budget. We however have the information available should relevant issues be raised during the discussion session. For now we whish to conclude by asking the question - is it enough? The answer is it can never be. But then we understand the needs to be addressed and the necessity of following a balanced coherent approach in line with the policy directions of Government. We are comfortable that this is indeed taking place.

Appendix 2
LETTER FROM SAPS NATIONAL COMMISSIONER
JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING : MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT (MTBPS)
Your letter dated 31 October 2002 in the above regard wherein it is requested that a brief presentation on issues identified in chapter 5 and 6 of the MTBPS pertaining to Vote: 24 Safety and Security be provided, has reference.
The said MTBPS includes the following policy objectives and priorities:
Poverty reduction and development, addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, through extending social assistance, health and education
Enhance investment in municipal infrastructure, rural development and urban renewal
Expanded capacity in the safety and security sector
Higher education restructuring
Accelerated land reform and restitution
Re-engineering of services to citizens
Increasing support for research and development
South Africa's growing responsibilities in Africa and international relations.
In pursuit of these objectives, the 2003 medium-term expenditure framework will prioritise the following areas:
Extending social assistance, health and education programmes administered by provinces.
Enhancing investment in municipal infrastructure and basic services in support of the rural development and urban renewal strategies.
Expanding capacity in the safety and security sector to prevent and combat crime, including a particular focus on the functioning of the courts system.
Higher education restructuring, including support for institutional mergers and investment in infrastructure.
Accelerating the land reform and restitution programmes.
Re-engineering services to citizens provided by the Department of Home Affairs.
Increasing support for the national research and development strategy to enhance growth and technology advancements.
A growing international role through increased regional representation, support for the African Union and NEPAD.
As will be noted form the information to be provided the SAPS spending priorities are in line with the MTBPS objectives and priorities.
In respect of increased spending in 2002/03 the following adjustments (which are in line with the supplementary infrastructure, approved roll-over, higher inflation and unforeseen and unavoidable reasons indicated in the MTBPS), are:
Vote: Safety and Security
R million
* Supplementary infrastructural allocation
41,0
* Approved rollovers in respect of the continued
implementation of the Firearm Control Act. 9,9
* Higher inflation adjustments:
Annual wage increase 305,0
Other inflationary adjustments 37,8
* Unforeseen and unavoidable expenditure:
World Summit on Sustainable Development 59,1
Migration from 1800 MHz spectrum as a
result of the Telecommunications Amendment Act 2001 57,0

TOTAL 509,8
 
In brief the afore-mentioned adjustments resulted as follows:
* Supplementary infrastructural allocation.
The amount of R41 million is aimed at supplementing the existing amount of R215,840 million in 2002/03 for the erection and purchasing of capital infrastructure. The amount will be utilized to establish police facilities in the following areas:
Presidential projects for example Tsolo, Thabong, Kanyamazane, Batho, Kwamashu, Langa, Mdantsane, etc and prioritized station areas.
* Approved roll-over in respect of the continued implementation of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 to be utilized for vehicles and computer equipment.
* Higher inflation adjustments to make provision for the difference in the annual wage increase i.e from 6% to 9% and general inflationary increases such as fuel, oil, maintenance of equipment etc.
* World Summit expenditure regarding allowances, accommodation and transport.
* Migration from the 1800MHz spectrum which necessitates that the department vicate the current frequency band in order for other users to utilize the band width. The costs to be incurred will relate to the replacement of the microwave transmission equipment.
With regard to additional spending over the 2003 MTEF period it should be noted that:
4.1 The 2003 Budget will build on the policy priorities that were laid down in the 2001 and 2002 budgets, hence the continued emphasis on infrastructure investment and extension of the coverage and quality of basic service delivery. Other key elements of the growth strategy involve inter alia the reinforcement of crime prevention. The 2003 Medium Term Expenditure Framework therefore again prioritized the continued expansion of capacity in the safety and security sector to prevent and combat crime, including a particular focus on the functioning of the courts system.
4.2 Should one however consider the baseline allocations, inflationary adjustments and additional policy priorities under consideration by MinComBud / Cabinet and to the Vote: Safety and Security over the medium term, the position would be the following: