Department of Safety and Security Budget: briefing

Meeting report

SECURITY AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
21 May 2003
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND SECURITY BUDGET BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr Kgoshi Mokoena (ANC Northern Province)

Documents handed out:
Department Budget presentation

SUMMARY
The Department of Safety and Security reviewed their budget for the 2002/2003 financial year and the MTEF allocation for 2003/4 and 2005/6. In their spending the Department was trying to iimprove the capacity of SAPS to discharge its crime prevention and combating responsibilities. They outlined their budget process, how measurable objectives are developed for each programme and performance indicators are developed to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and economic utilisation of resources.

A number of the questions raised by Members were either not within the competence of Commissioner Schutte to address or required a breakdown of figures per province. The Department undertook to forward these answers in writing or invite the appropriate responsible officials to come before the Committee to answer outstanding questions.

MINUTES
Briefing by Department of Safety and Security
Mr Leon Schutte: SAPS Commissioner, presented the briefing on behalf of the Department of Safety and Security. He focussed on three main themes; a brief overview of the department's financial performance, the new departmental policies and lastly indicated how the Department was implementing the new policies.

Budget Overview:
Mr Schutte said that the Department has an excellent spending record for the financial year 2002/3 with only R1 446 not spent of a total budget allocation of R19, 713, 543. Furthermore, only a relatively insignificant deviation from planned category spending occurred, only once exceeding one percent although an eight percent deviation is allowed.

Discussion
Mr R Nyakane (UDM, Northern Province) asked for a more detailed breakdown per province, of the various national figures mentioned by Mr Schutte.

Mr Schutte said the budget classification system is prescribed by the National Treasury and must be adhered to when structuring the budget. However, he committed himself to forwarding the Committee more detailed information on spending in their respective provinces. He noted that it would not be possible to indicate per province spending on certain centralised functions such as forensic labs.

Ms J Kgoali (ANC, Gauteng) asked how the need for new police stations is identified and how their establishment is prioritised.

Mr Schutte said that the process of establishing policing infrastructure needs is a complex procedure in which the Department of Public Works plays an important role. The Department of Safety and Security would have appreciated having greater control over renovation and construction funds for its buildings.

Mr T Ralane (ANC, Free State) asked whether the Department has budgeted for potential lawsuits against the SAPS.

Mr Schutte said provision for lawsuits had been made under miscellaneous spending.

Mr P Maloyi (ANC, North-West) asked what the Department was doing to improve police communication in the rural areas.

Mr Schutte said the police radio communication is continuously being upgraded throughout the country. Mr Schutte said he did not feel competent enough to expound further as this was a technical matter. A written response will be sent to the Committee in this regard.

Mr Ralane asked whether the personnel expenditure figures include 'overtime' paid to police officers.

Mr Schutte said overtime is included in the total personnel expenditure.

Mr Maloyi asked whether community policing forums and specifically their training were budgeted for.

Mr Schutte said that no funds were transferred to the community policing forums themselves. The forums operate in conjunction with the various police stations who are responsible for costs incurred as a result of such joint ventures.

Ms E Lubidla (ANC, Northern Cape) said that improved police salaries should be a key priority as proper payment will result in enhanced morale and consequently greater efficiency.

Mr Schutte said adequate allocation is made for salaries, however the department is bound to the Collective Bargaining Process and its agreements.

Mr Ralane asked why there was a decrease in spending on commercial crime.

Mr Schutte said the decline in spending on commercial crimes is a result of the closure of certain specialised units and focussing affected personnel and resources on general policing duties.

Mr Lever (DA, North-West) asked if the increases listed in the presentation were in line with inflation and if so, what level of inflation was accounted for.

Mr Schutte said the increases indicated in the presentation are inclusive of six percent inflation and additional real increases.

Mr Lever said the AFIS (finger printing) program seems to be implemented in a narrow silo and should rather form part of the Integrated Justice System.

Mr Schutte said the AFIS program was initially started very much in a silo but he could foresee it becoming more useful in the Integrated Justice System in the future.

Prince B Zulu (ANC, KwaZulu Natal) said that during the 1999 elections no go areas existed for certain parties in KwaZulu Natal. In these areas supporters of rival parties destroyed election posters in full view of the police, who did not intervene.

However, he congratulated the Department, especially the Public Order Police for the sharp decrease in politically motivated killings in that area.

Mr P Mathee (NNP, KwaZulu Natal) asked if the police leadership was satisfied with the increase in police personnel or was it just a public relations effort.

Mr Schutte said the increase in police personnel is significant but he would not wish to make political statements.

Mr Kgoshi Mokoena (ANC, Northern Province) said that Mr Mathee and Prince Zulu's statements were political matters and not questions related to the meeting.

Prince Zulu asked for more clarity on police officers' death benefits.

Mr Schutte said that death benefits amount to R30 million which is a once of payment amounting to R 200 000 per police officer.

A Member asked whether police officers were now free to perform policing tasks and not administrative functions.

Mr Schutte said the police officers are increasingly focussing on core policing activities while civilians in the SAPS perform administrative duties.

A Member congratulated the Department on their prompt payment of accounts, mostly within 30 days of receiving an invoice and asked whether benefit claims from former police officers were disposed of with similar efficiency.

Mr Schutte stated that in many cases the Department has difficulty obtaining the necessary documentation from claimants and this significantly delays the resolution of claims.

Mr Maloyi said that in future a more comprehensive team should sent to parliament to allow members to discuss a wider range of issues.

The Chairperson and Mr Schutte agreed with Mr Maloyi's suggestion for a more comprehensive meeting with the Department.

The meeting was adjourned.