ATC090701: Report Budget Vote 22: Safety and Security (Department of Police)

NCOP Security and Justice

Report of the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development on Budget Vote 22: Safety and Security (Department of Police) dated 1 July 2009:

 

Introduction

 

The Select Committee considered two budgets on 26 June 2009, Secretariat for Safety and Security, and 30 June 2009, Department of Safety and Security (Department of Police).

 

The officials presenting on behalf of the Secretariat for Safety and Security comprised:

 

·      Mr Themba Mathe: National Secretary.

·      Mr Amichand Soman: Director, Legal Services.

·      Mr Meshack Mogatusi: Director, Office of the Secretary.

·      Mr Mlungisi Menziwa: Director, Policy & Research.

 

The officials presenting on behalf of the Department of Police comprised:

 

·      Deputy National Commissioner Hlela.

·      Deputy National Commissioner Stander.

·      Divisional Commissioner Schutte.

·      Divisional Commissioner Phahlane.

·      Divisional Commissioner Lalla.

·      Divisional Commissioner Nchwe.

·      Divisional Commissioner Siwundla.

·      Assistant Commissioner Moorcroft.

·      Superintendent Steyn.

 

This report provides an overview of the presentations made by the Secretariat for Safety and Security and the Department of Police.  The focus of the briefings included Budget Vote 22 and Strategic Plans for 2009/10 – 2011/12.[1] 

 

2.  Overview of Proceedings

 

2.1    Secretariat for Safety and Security Strategic Priorities, 26 June 2009

 

Mr Mathe provided an overview of their strategic objectives and allocations for the 2009 – 2012 MTEF cycles.  The Secretariat does not have its own budget, but appears as a sub-programme within the budget of the Department of Police.  The Accounting Officer remains the National Commissioner.

 

The Secretariat is established in terms of Section 208 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, act No 108 of 1996, which states that:

 

A Civilian Secretariat for the police must be established by national legislation to function under the direction of the Cabinet Member responsible for policing.

 

National legislation, in terms of the South African Police Services Act (SAPS Act), Act No 65 of 1995 provides for:

 

Section 2(1) (a) The establishment of the Secretariat by the Minister for Safety and Security.

 

The functions and purpose of the Secretariat in terms of Section 3(1) of the SAPS Act were further highlighted.

 

The strategic priorities of the Secretariat, which is of importance to the Committee was further expounded upon.  These include, amongst others, the following:

 

·      Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the policing policy by SAPS.

·      Encouraging and enhancing responsible community participation in crime prevention.

·      Enhancing the image and profile of the Secretariat and the Ministry.

·      Providing strategic and operational research support to the Secretariat and the Minister.

·      Providing policing policy advice to the Minister.

·      Providing legal advice and support to the Minister on legislation, civil litigation, constitutional, and other legal matters.

 

2.1.1          Programme Structure and Budget of the Secretariat

 

The programme structure and budget allocations to sub-programmes for the Secretariat comprise the following:

 

·      The Administration Programme is divided into two sub-programmes: Office of the Secretary and Support Services.  The overall amount allocated to this programme comprises R3 741 356, 00 of the budget.  This equates to 29% of the budget allocations for projects of R12 855 801.  In comparison to the Administration budget allocation of R11 186 000 for the 2008/09 financial year, it is a decrease of 67% for 2009/10. The budget allocation for the sub-programme: Office of the Secretary amounts to R2 422 151, 00 and for the sub-programme: Support Services, an amount of R1 319 205, 00

·      The Monitoring and Evaluation Programme monitors and evaluates the implementation of the policing policy by SAPS.  The programme comprises R665 000, 00 of the budget.  This translates into 5% of the budget allocations for projects of R12 855 801, in comparison to the allocation of R1 057 000, 000 for the 2008/09 financial year, which amounts to a 37% decrease.  It has four programmes, focusing on:

o        The Firearms Control Act, No 60 of 2000.

o        The Implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, No 116 of 1998 by SAPS and the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD).

o        Evaluation of the SAPS Resource Allocation

·       The Legal Services Programme comprises R1 429 845, 00 of the budget.  This translates to 11% of the budget allocation for projects amounting to R379 000, 00.  The allocation for 2008/09 comprised R379 000, 00, which equates to an increase of 277%.

·      The Policy and Research Programme comprises R2 319 600, 00 of the budget.  This translates to 18% of the budget allocation for projects of R12 855 801.  The allocation for 2008/09 comprised R2 340 000.  This equates to a decrease of 1%.

·      The Communication Programme comprises R4 700 000, 00 of the budget.  This translates to 36% of the budget allocation for projects of R12 855 801, and when compared to the allocation of R4 875 000, 00 for 2008/09, it amounts to a 4% decrease.  The total budget for projects amounts to R12 623 801 and the overtime calculation for projects amounts to R232 000.  The budget for personnel amounts to R9 056 034. 

 

In total, the Secretariat for Safety and Security seeks a budget of R21 911 835.

 

2.2    Department of Police:  Strategic Priorities, 30 June 2009

 

The SAPS Strategic Plan 2005 – 2010 focuses on the following four key strategic priorities:

 

·      Combating organised crimes.

·      Combating serious and violent crimes by adopting strategies.

·      Combating crime against women and children.

·      Improving basic service delivery in the SAPS through ensuring that the Batho Pele Action Plans and Service Delivery Charters are implemented at all levels.

 

2.2.1          Programme Structure and Budget of the Department of Police

 

The Department’s budget comprises the following five programmes:

 

·      Programme 1:  Administration consists of five sub-programmes – Ministry, Deputy Ministry, Management, Corporate Services and Property Management. It receives a total of R15 449 150 000, 00 and increased by 11.61% from 2008/09 allocation of R13 841 697 000, 00.  The increase is due to intensified funding levels for training interventions, facilities, information technology, radio communication systems and IJS projects.  Information Technology, under the sub-programme of Corporate services received R2 223 000, 00 which equates to 14% of the programme allocation.  This is in line with the Department’s increased need for information technology, radio communication systems and ISJ projects.

·      Programme 2:  Visible Policing consists of three sub-programmes – Crime Prevention, Borderline Security and Specialisation Interventions.  It receives a total of R19 015 537 000, 00 and increased by 10, 58% from 2008/09 allocation of R17 195 540 000, 00. The funding increased due to intensified funding levels for new enlistments, vehicles, bullet-proof vests, and general equipment and security requirements for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

·      Programme 3: Detective Services consists of three sub-programmes – Crime Investigations, Criminal Record Centre and Forensic Science Laboratory. It receives a total of R7 625 060 000, 00 and increased by 13, 55% from 2008/09 allocation of R6 714 765 000, 00. The funding increased due to significant emphasis on Forensic Laboratories and Criminal Record Centres focusing on upgrading / expansion of resources and an increased need for capacity at station detectives.

·      Programme 4: Crime Intelligence consists of two sub-programmes – namely Crime Intelligence Operations and Intelligence and Information Management. It receives a total of R1 714 134 000, 00, increased by 18, 31% from 2008/09 allocation of R1 448 789 000, 00. The increase is due to intensified funding levels for personnel and associated operational expenditures at crime intelligence offices.

·      Programme 5: Protection and Security Services consists of six sub-programmes – namely VIP Protection Services, Static and Mobile Security, Port of Entry Security, Rail Police, Government Security Regulator and Operational Support. It receives a total of R2 605 812 000, 00 and increased by 13, 71% from 2008/09 allocation of R2 291 518 000, 00. The increase is due to intensified funding levels for the continuation and expansion of Rail Police projects and various other ports of entry.

 

3.  Committee Response: Questions/Issues to Consider

 

Members of the Committee raised a number of questions and issues to the Secretariat for Safety and Security and the Department of Police, which ranged from:

 

3.1    Secretariat for Safety and Security

 

·      What are the roles and responsibilities of the provincial Secretariat for Safety and Security and the difference between the national Secretariat and provincial Secretariat? 

·      What the Secretariats role is with regard to the relocation of the Community Police Forums (CPF).

·      To questions related to the Firearms Control Act, Act No 60 of 2000 on possible amendments that may be forthcoming.

 

3.2    Department of Police

 

·      The Department was congratulated on a ‘job well done’ during the recent Confederation Cup Tournament.

·      Whilst the Committee was pleased with the comprehensive briefing, the members noticed one drawback in that the presentation lacked insight into the challenges facing the Department of Police and theSouth African Police Service. Information on the drawbacks will allow the Committee to motivate for further funding or decreases in certain programmes where it is called for.

·      With regard to the budget on Compensation, apart from it covering expenses related to additional staff, what else is included in that particular compensation?

·      The issues related to overtime raise the question whether there are mechanisms in place to control or manage that particular expenditure item. The reason for this query is that this is an area for abuse where police members will be slow to respond to a call and only attend to the matter when it falls into the overtime bracket.

·      The report indicates a number of vehicles purchased but approximates the value. The Committee requests that it be supplied with the exact amount of the vehicle assets on the books of the Department.

·      The Committee further requests the Department’s strategy with regard to vehicle maintenance and control of misusing and abusing vehicle assets. This must be related to the department’s approach to deal with reckless driving and accidents caused by police members.

·      The Committee requests an update on the effectiveness of the tracking devices installed in the 25 000 vehicles. Is the system working as intended and yielding results? How long will the process take to complete the installation of the tracking device in the remaining vehicles?

·      The Committee expressed its dissatisfaction with the unavailability of police vehicles to respond to incidents when these vehicles are parked in police officers’ driveways at night. The Department must respond on its strategy to deal with police members using vehicle assets for private purposes.

·      The success of the department is unclear with regard to national crime statistics. It would be beneficial to link the programme and project performance to national crime statistics and success rates to determine the effectiveness of programme administration and funding.

·      The Committee is satisfied with the expenditure on bullet proof vests but require a stipulation on when such vests are required for use. The implication of the budget is that every police member who leaves the training academy is issued with a vest yet many police members are observed without it. Under what circumstances is the vest worn?

·      The slow pace of investigations remains a concern to the Committee. The results of a criminal investigation must be reported to the complainant regardless of the outcome. The lack of communication and feedback entrenches the idea that SAPS are not doing their job.

·      Reservists who volunteer offer a free service to the SAPS. When a reservist is called to duty a remuneration is payable. This amounts to abuse of labour. Although reservists are intensively trained and must pass modules the reality is that it is an area open to abuse by criminal elements. The access to sensitive information in a police station is very valuable to criminal elements outside. This is a matter that the Department must take on board when considering using reservists. It is more desirable to use the budget allocation set aside for overtime to employ more police men and woman rather than casual labour.

·      A report of the Portfolio Committee on Safety and Liaison in the Northern Cape legislature is available for review by the Committee. The Portfolio Committee visited 77 of the 89 police stations in the Northern Cape and the report highlights the findings at these police stations. The report highlights the need for a best practice to be implemented. There are police stations that are doing well and others that are doing very badly in the same vicinity and the department needs to find ways to synergise police stations.   

·      The Department presents the Annual Report to the Portfolio Committee but neglects to mention the presentation of the APP. The presentation of the Annual Report must be appraised in terms of performance measurements. It is imperative that the Department also present the APP’s to the provincial committees.

·      The Committee requests the Department to note the need for team building amongst station commanders.

·      The Committee drew the Department’s attention to Port Nolloth. It has a harbour but no port control authority. There is a serious concern about drug trafficking by way of Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay, Kleinsee, and Eksteensfontein down to Garies in the South. The Department is encouraged to handle the matter in conjunction with De Beers and the Department of Environmental Affairs.

·      The practicality of the SAPS visible policing should be seen in a practical way where new communities needing a police presence will benefit from the mobile police stations. The Committee requests the Department to look into the feasibility of this for new communities.

·      The Department was congratulated on its outreach programme in the Northern Cape. It is commended for the way it engaged other departments like Home Affairs, Health, Education and Justice during its outreach exercise to communities.

·      The Committee requests the police strategy on firearms that are lost or stolen.

·      The police reports crime statistics are decreasing yet more police members are needed every year. The Committee drew the attention of the Department to the need for quality policing as opposed to quantity. Attention was drawn to policeman whose native tongue is different to the areas they are deployed in.

·      The Committee requires a report on what specialised units are established within the SAPS, such as the drug squads or murder and robbery units.   

·      The training of investigators must be prioritised by the Department as a lot of cases are thrown out of court due to investigations that were not done properly.

·      The recent reports of offences against women and children being changed to other offences when reported because charge officers do not know how to handle it, is of grave concern to the Committee.

·      Vehicles that are standing and which are not being used is of concern to the Committee. It is also necessary for the Department to look into the matter of investigators having access to vehicles. For purposes of efficiency it is necessary for the Department to ensure that resources are adequately deployed.

·      The Committee also drew the Departments attention to limiting users of vehicles in the exercise of their duties to certain kilometre restrictions and petrol restrictions.

·      On slide 8 of the Budget presentation it is of concern to the Committee that the expenditure projection of the SAPS does not appear to take the current financial climate into consideration. The Department is required to report on the saving measures in place to curb the increase of costs.

·      The Department is required to report on the impact the judge’s decision has with regard to suspending the Firearms Control legislation because of the constitutionality of the Act.

·      The Committee requests a reply on whether the Department has made provision for claims that may arise from gun owners that are entitled to compensation for firearms that have to be handed in.

·      The Border gate between South Africa and Mozambique in Mpumalanga is of concern to the Committee. It was observed that money openly changes hands at the border gate but the police members on duty appeared unconcerned.

·      A memorandum was handed to the Acting Provincial Commissioner in Nelspruit in terms of this specific problem but a response has still not been forthcoming.

·      The Department is requested to reply with regard to ports of entry at O R Tambo International Airport. Compared to other international ports the security at O R Tambo is considered to be very lax.

·      What is the Department’s strategy with regard to monitoring airstrips in South Africa? The matter refers to the recent incident where members of Executive Outcomes were arrested on allegations that they were going to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. The incident alleges that they left from Bethlehem airstrip.

·      How much budget has been set aside for informers?

·      The Department is requested to reply whether the provincial commissions and cluster stations have their own budgets.

·      The Department is requested to determine proper operational names that do not infer insult but maintains the professionalism and integrity of the Department.

·      The Committee reminds the Department that response time to incidents is of grave concern to the Committee and the Department is requested to prioritise this matter.

·      The Department is requested to respond to the matter of xenophobic attacks with regard to boarder line control. What is the Department’s strategy with regard to xenophobic attacks at boarder posts and boarder line control?

·      What are the Department’s policy objectives with regard to gathering intelligence? Is it proactive in nature to prevent incidents or for purposes of database gathering?

·      The Committee finds it difficult to justify the figures given without relating it to the previous report of the Department. Further interaction with the Department is necessary to determine future budget priorities and allocations. The Department has embarked on numerous turn around strategies but the Committee needs to determine when these strategies have achieved the desired effect to justify the increases requested in the budget presentation.

·      The Department is requested to supply the Committee with specific strategies with regard to crime prevention programmes and this must be related to the budget allocations requested in the budget presentation.

·      The Auditor-General raised deficiencies in the Department with regard to the Report of the Auditor-General on a performance audit of service delivery at police stations and 10111 call centres at the South African Police Services. The report indicates, amongst others, that a police station in the Mpumalanga province does not have a functional 10111 call centre.

·      In another police station 74% of police officers did not have valid drivers’ licences.

·      What steps are being taken to address those deficiencies as highlighted by the Auditor-General?

 

Due to time constraints, the Members decided that they would require written responses to issues and questions raised, and would thereafter propose recommendations to the above issues.

 

4. Appreciation

 

The Committee expresses their thanks to the Department of Police and Secretariat for Safety and Security, for the comprehensive presentations.

 

Report to be considered.

 

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[1] Full presentations can be obtained from the Committee Secretary, Mr G Dixon, at 021 – 403 3771.