ATC200603: Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the 2020/21 Budget Vote 28, Annual Performance Plan (App) of the Department of Police (Saps), Dated 29 May 2020.

NCOP Security and Justice

REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE ON THE 2020/21 BUDGET VOTE 28, ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN (APP) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE (SAPS), DATED 29 MAY 2020.

 

  1. Introduction

 

1.1.       Introduction and background

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) represents the provinces to ensure that the provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government as stated in section 42(4) of the Constitution.  It contributes to effective government by ensuring that provincial and local concerns are recognised in national policy making and that provincial, local and national governments work together effectively.

 

One of these functions is to hold the government to account in respect of how the taxpayers’ money is used. It detects waste within the machinery of government and public agencies. Thus it can improve the efficiency, economy and effectiveness of government operations.

 

It is with this in mind that the Select Committee presents this report on the budget briefing by SAPS. A joint briefing was held between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the 2020 Budget and APPs of the Department of Police on the 8 May 2020, through a virtual platform.

 

The budget briefing took place under unusual circumstances and during a period of lockdown in South Africa as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

On 15 March 2020, President Ramaphosa declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national disaster and on 23 March 2020, announced a national lockdown that started from midnight on 26 March 2020 and would run for 21 days ending on 16 April 2020. Thus, the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) was activated and on 25 March 2020, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Dlamini-Zuma gazetted the Regulations in terms of the Act, which provided clarity on the restrictions of movement of people and trading in non-essential items.

The SAPS, together with the South African Defence Force (SANDF) and the Metro Police Services, were tasked to enforce these restrictions.The role of SAPS in enforcing the lockdown regulations will have a significant impact on the achievement of the Department’s performance indicators and expenditure during the 2020/21 financial year.

 

  1.       Strategic Priorities of the Department of Police for the 2020/21 financial year

There are various policy priorities which inform the Departmental strategic plans, APPs and budgets, as discussed hereunder:

 

2.1        State of the Nation Address (SONA)

President Ramaphosa delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) during a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on 13 February 2020. In terms of security issues, the President focused on the realisation of the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 in building safe communities, especially in terms of police training, improved professionalism and adequate resource allocation to police stations.

 

During the 2020 SONA, President Ramaphosa highlighted the following priorities relating to the policing sector:

 

Safety, security and economic development: A key focus of the 2020 SONA was on economic development. The President acknowledged that investment and growth require a safe, stable and crime-free environment.

 

Economic crimes: The President indicated that priority would be placed on Government’s response to the growing problem of criminal groups that extort money from construction and other businesses. Specialised units within the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will be established to combat these crimes of economic disruption.

 

Tourist safety: The SAPS will increase visibility at identified tourist attraction sites in an effort to support the growth of the tourism industry. Additionally, Tourism Safety Monitors will be trained and a reserve police capacity will be established to focus on the policing of tourist attraction areas.

 

Gangsterism: The President stated that Anti-Gang Units would be further strengthened, with priority given to the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Free State.

 

Visible policing: The President stated that priority would be given to increasing police visibility. He further stated that following the graduation of 5,000 police trainees last year, 7,000 new police trainees have been enlisted this year to strengthen local policing.

 

Resourcing of police stations: The President stated that priority would be given to better resourcing of police stations.

 

Crime detection: The President stated that a Crime Detection University would be established in Hammanskraal (Gauteng) to improve the quality of general and specialised SAPS investigations.

 

Corruption: The President stated that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) that was developed by a joint government and civil society working group would be launched in the mid-year.

 

Gender-based violence: The President highlighted various efforts to address gender-based violence, including:

  • Social compacts must be built across society to fight gender-based violence.
  • An emergency action plan was implemented and R1.6 billion was reprioritised to support the plan until the end of the current financial year (2019/20).
  • The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act No. 116 of 1998) will be amended to improve the protection of victims in violent domestic relationships.
  • The Sexual Offences Act, 2007 will be amended to broaden the categories of sex offenders whose names must be included in the National Register for sex offenders.
  • Legislation will be passed to strengthen bail and sentencing conditions in cases that involve gender-based violence.

 

2.2        National Development Plan (NDP)

 

Chapter 12 titled “Building Safer Communities” is the key chapter outlining the responsibilities of the policing portfolio in South Africa.

 

The vision of Chapter 12 is that:

 

"In 2030, people living in South Africa feel safe at home, at school and at work, and they enjoy a community life free of fear. Women walk freely in the streets and children play safely outside. The police service is well-resourced and professional, staffed by highly skilled officers who value their work, serve the community, safeguard lives and property without discrimination, protect the peaceful against violence, and respect the rights to equality and justice."

 

To achieve this vision, the NDP sets out five focus areas, including:

 

  • Strengthen the criminal justice system;
  • Make the police service professional;
  • Demilitarise the police;
  • Build safety using an integrated approach; and
  • Build community participation in safety.

 

2.3        2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF)

 

The MTSF 2019–2024 aims to address challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty through, 1) driving a strong and inclusive economy, 2) building and strengthening the capabilities if South Africans, and 3) achieving a more capable state. These underpin the seven priorities of the MTSF:

  • Priority 1: Economic transformation and job creation
  • Priority 2: Education, skills and health
  • Priority 3: Consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic services
  • Priority 4: Spatial integration, human settlements and local government
  • Priority 5: Social cohesion and safe communities
  • Priority 6: A capable, ethical and developmental state
  • Priority 7: A better Africa and world

 

The MTSF states:Achieving social cohesion and safe communities requires strengthening criminal justice platforms, police services and community participation in public policing. This work cannot be done without improving trust in our public sector and its institutions.

All Departments are therefore required to align their Strategic plans, APPS and budgets with the aforementioned policy proposals.

 

  1.    Strategic Plan - SAPS Priorities

 

The SAPS has identified an impact statement that reinforces the critical role that safety and security has to play in this overarching strategic direction for the country, namely;

“a safe and secure environment that is conducive for social and economic stability, supporting a better life for all”.

This impact statement clearly indicates that the socio-economic advancement of the country, as directed by the MTSF 2019 to 2024, is underpinned by the actual and perceived levels of safety and security in the country. The SAPS has identified five outcomes that it has linked directly to the impact statement, as preconditions of the realisation of this impact:

  • upheld and enforced law and order, in support of the stamping of the authority of the State;
  • thoroughly and responsively investigated every crime that has been reported to its service points;
  •  has ensured that the key policing functions are intelligence-led; and
  • has uncompromisingly implemented a collaborative, consultative approach to policing, as well as
  • has established a police service that is characterised as being both professional and capable.

The Strategic Plan highlighted the following external environmental issues that affect the Department:

 

  • To achieve the 50% reduction in violent crime, the SAPS will continue with the normalisation and stabilisation approach. Stabilisation will be achieved through specific national crime prevention operations like Operation Fiela that focusses on the removal of immediate threats posed by crime, while normalisation will address the root causes associated with crime.
  • To address Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the SAPS will prioritise the police stations with the highest reported incidents of violent crime and GBVF-related crime. The SAPS will develop a GBVF National Strategic Plan that will be supported by an Integrated Sexual Offences and Gender-based Violence Strategy for the JCPS Cluster.
  • The establishment of Operational Command Centres (OCCs) and the Modus Operandi Strategic Analysis Centre (MOSAC) will support the implementation of the National Crime Combatting Strategy (NCCS) to address violent crime. The MOSAC is a unique approach of the SAPS. A Fusion Centre Model will ensure the collaboration of relevant stakeholders to establish a multidisciplinary response to crime.
  • Serious Organised Crime, in particular, drug syndicates and those perpetrating illegal mining activities, pose a major risk to the safety of law-abiding citizens. This will be addressed through the adoption of multidisciplinary teamwork, using a project investigative approach. This approach will also be applied to the investigation into crimes related to the exploitation of natural resources.
  • The external environmental analysis also highlights the threat of cyber-crime, which will be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach and the development of a Cybercrime Strategy and strengthening the capabilities to address cybercrime across the JCPS Cluster. The JCPS Cluster will implement an On-line Crime Prevention Strategy to reduce the opportunities to use the cyberspace for the perpetration of crime.
  • The safety of rural and urban areas will be addressed through the Safer City Framework, which will provide the overarching strategic framework for the establishment of Safe City Strategies. The Strategy will be rolled out in identified cities and the Rural Safety Strategy. The SAPS acknowledged that the “linkage to the community, within both of these approaches, is the Community Police Forums (CPFs)”, as such, the Department committed to contribute to the revitalisation of CPFs.
  • Increased importance is placed on measuring public satisfaction with policing, which is determined by the standard of professionalism and competence. This will be accessed through a citizen-based monitoring approach and will be driven by the Service Delivery Improvement Plan. Additionally, the SAPS’ complaints management capability and capacity will be developed further and incorporated in perception management. These perceptions will be integrated into organisational performance management.
  • To increase police visibility, the Community Policing Strategy will bring together all role-players in safety and security, including metropolitan police services and traditional leaders to harness resources. This strategy will have the Traditional Policing Concept as a key feature. It is important to note that this concept will incorporate the establishment of a Royal Reserve Police over the medium term. The Community-In-Blue Programme will also be a key feature of the Community Policing Strategy to encourage local community participation in social crime prevention.
  • The SAPS stated that the establishment of a Tourism Reserve Police capability would address tourism safety

 

3.1        Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI)

 

The Directorate will continue to counter the “mob operational” method of organised criminal groups with a multidisciplinary teamwork approach, as opposed to an individual approach. Investigative projects and major investigations will be designed to, not only increase the number of arrests for serious crime, but also to ensure convictions in court. Their investigations will be across all commodities but a focused approach will be made towards those crimes impeding on the feeling of safety of our communities such as the proliferation of drugs, firearms and ammunition, as well as crimes targeting the environmental wellness of the country and crimes against the State. The current threat of cyber-related and economic crimes demands an effective response by the DPCI, which must work closely with the Asset Forfeiture Unit to ensure ill-gotten gains are attached.

 

The newly approved organisational structure of the Directorate provides for a uniformed approach at national and provincial levels, in all three operational legs of the Directorate. The structure also creates room for growth and the retention of skilled personnel within the Directorate. The structure will be capacitated in the medium term giving full effect to the capacity of the DPCI to fulfil its mandate.

 

Other areas of priority include the securing of suitable accommodation, prioritisation of acquiring resources and the upgrading of tools of the trade necessary to investigate crime in a technological age. Continued efforts will be made towards the implementation of Section 17G of the SAPS Act, with regard to conditions of service, remuneration and allowances of members of the Directorate, as well as Section 17K of the Police Act, regarding the establishment of a separate programme.

 

  1.       Budget and Annual Performance Plans

 

The SAPS received a Main Appropriation of R101.7 billion in 2020/21. Expenditure is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.2 per cent, from R96.7 billion in 2019/20 to R112.7 billion in 2022/23. In nominal terms, the allocation increased with R5.02 billion (5.2 per cent) in 2020/21 compared to the previous financial year. However, when inflation is taken into account, the allocation increased by less than 1 percent (0.77 per cent or R740 million). This means that the SAPS has a holding budget and only receives an inflationary increase to the budget. This has been the case for the past five years.

Source: National Treasury (2020)

 

4.1        Fiscal constraints and the impact of Covid-19 on the budget

 

The fiscal constraints impacting on government that have necessitated reductions to the budgetary allocations to government departments over the medium-term, pose the greatest challenge to the achievement of both the MTSF 2019 to 2024 outcomes and outputs and the strategic objectives and priorities of the SAPS.

 

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was acknowledged that the budget would change and be adjusted to accommodate for additional expenses which were unforeseen by the Department. To mitigate against the impact of Covid-19 on the budget, the Department has highlighted the following strategies:

 

  • Review and scaling down of stabilisation operations, in respect of Visible Policing and Operational Response Services in provinces;
  • Prioritise the reduction in travelling and subsistence allowances, across all programmes;
  • Capital expenditure in Programme 1 to be reduced, in order to divert funding towards PPE goods and services;
  • Events of a national nature to be reconsidered;
  • The Compensation of Employee’s budget contains several priority spending areas, such as new enlistments, salary adjustments, promotions, grade progression, etc. that will require serious reprioritization in order to divert funding to goods and services;
  • Non-core administrative support functions to be identified for reprioritization; and
  • Once-off goods and service cost to be reduced with least impact on core functions.

 

4.2        Expenditure estimates

 

The SAPS has long been characterised as a “top heavy” organisationwith significant numbers of senior personnel being positioned at national and provincial levels. The fiscal constraints that will impact negatively on the compensation budget will require that the organisation employ a leaner and flatter organisational structure, which will involve the cascading of resources to bolster the policing capability at local level, as indicated in the 2018 SONA.

 

It will, however, be necessary for the SAPS to maintain and capacitate certain key operational capabilities, prioritising frontline personnel, the investigative (including the DPCI) and specialised response capabilities. Staffing and retention practiceswill facilitate the transfer of operational personnel in support capabilities to prioritise operational capabilities and the review of the SAPS’ compensation model to lower the average unit cost of employees, within the context of the need for the structured upward mobility and career progression of members.

 

4.3        Reprioritised funds over the medium term

 

Over the MTEF period, funds have been reprioritised from the SAPS to other departments and entities within the Peace and Security function to implement the integrated criminal justice strategy. Over this period, R2.8 billion has been reprioritised from funds previously allocated to the Department for the implementation of the criminal justice system seven‐point plan. These funds have been shifted to other departments in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster, and will form part of implementing the broader integrated criminal justice strategy.

 

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will receive R1.8 billion, mainly to enhance prosecution capacity in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), including the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit established to address gender-based violence against women and children. These funds will also help to operationalise the Investigative Directorate (located in the NPA), capacitate various anti-corruption units and establish five additional specialised commercial crimes courts to ensure their presence in each province. In addition, R985 million is reprioritised to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) to appoint additional investigators, primarily to address the backlog of corruption cases.

 

To safeguard the country’s borders, R831 million is reprioritised from the SAPS to the Departments of Defence and Home Affairs. These allocations will pay for equipment and technology to enable the military to broaden coverage of the borders, and the Department of Home Affairs to profile passengers before they reach ports of entry and minimise security risks.

 

Excluding the reductions on compensation of employees, Cabinet has approved further baseline reductions on the Department’s budget amounting to R2.9 billion over the medium term. These reductions will mainly be on Goods and Services to align the Department’s budget with Government’s overall expenditure ceiling. To minimise the effect on service delivery, some of these reductions will be on non‐core goods and services items such as communications, minor assets, and consumables such as stationery and office supplies.

 

4.4        Expenditure per economic classification

 

In 2020/21, the bulk of funding falls under Current payments. Of the total budget, R96.87 billion is allocated to Current payments, which represents 95.24 per cent of the total departmental budget. The main cost driver under this main classification is Compensation of employees. In 2020/21, R81.1 billion will be spent on Compensation of employees.

 

However, the bulk of spending is expected under the Visible Policing Programme (R50.5 billion), because 52.71 per cent of the total personnel establishment is located in this programme (101 096 personnel from a total of 191 763).

 

In terms of Payments for capital assets, 3.28 per cent of the total budget allocation (R3.3 billion from a total of R101.7 billion) were allocated to this item in 2020/21. The allocation for Payments to capital assets was reduced by -0.89 per cent in nominal terms. Taking inflation into account, the allocation decreased by 5.07%. Of the total allocation for Payments to capital assets, R897.7 million was allocated to Buildings and other fixed structures, which is a nominal increase of 3.1 per cent.

 

In 2020/21, two new police stations will be built in Mabieskraal and Moeka-Vuma. The reductions to the baseline allocation will mainly be on Goods and services to align the Department’s budget with Government’s overall expenditure ceiling. To minimise the effect on service delivery, some of these reductions will be on non‐core goods and services items such as communications, minor assets and consumables such as stationery and office supplies.

 

  1. Budget allocation per programme

 

5.1        Programme 1: Administration Programme

 

The purpose of the AdministrationProgramme is to provide strategic leadership, management and support services to the South African Police Service. The programme has three sub-programmes including; Ministry, Management and Corporate Services.

 

The allocation of the Administration programme increased from R20.29 billion in 2019/20 to R20.91 billion in 2020/21. Although this is a nominal increase of 3.02 per cent, the allocation decreased by 1.32 per cent in 2020/21 when considering inflation. Compensation of employees takes up a large portion of the administration programme.

 

5.2        Programme 2: Visible Policing

 

The purpose of the Visible Policing Programmeis to enable police stations to institute and preserve safety and security, provide for specialised interventions and the policing of South Africa’s borders. The programme has four sub-programmes including; Crime Prevention, Border Security, Specialised Interventions and Facilities.

 

The Main Appropriation of the Visible Policing Programme increased nominally with R2.4 billion in 2020/21 when compared to the previous financial year. The allocation increased from R49.9 billion in 2019/20 to R52.3 billion in 2020/21. The Visible Policing Programme performs the core mandate of the SAPS. As such, the Programme received more than half of the Department’s budget for 2020/21.

 

The Crime Prevention sub-programme received the bulk of funding in the Programme with an increase of 4.22 per cent in 2020/21 when compared to the previous financial year. However, considering inflation, the allocation decreased slightly (-0.17 per cent). Similarly, the Facilities sub-programme received a nominal increase, but considering inflation, the allocation also showed a slight reduction.

 

The Specialised Interventions and Border Security sub-programmes received real increases of 3.05 per cent (nominal increase of 7.58 per cent) and 5.26 per cent (nominal increase of 9.89 per cent), respectively.

 

Over the medium term, the department will focus on adopting the stabilising and normalising approaches in the 30 police stations across South Africa with the highest crime rates, or those that are identified as hotspots. To facilitate their transition from stabilisation to normalisation over the medium term, the department will ensure that focused crime prevention interventions are implemented in these police stations. To fund all visible policing activities in the police service across South Africa, including those related to the successful implementation of the stabilisation and normalisation approaches, R166.2 billion is allocated over the MTEF period in the Visible Policing programme, which is supported by more than 99 000 personnel.

 

 

 

5.3        Programme 3: Detective Services

 

The purpose of the Detective Services Programme is to enable the investigative work of the SAPS, including providing support to investigators in terms of forensic evidence and the Criminal Record Centre. The Programme has four sub-programmes including Crime Investigation, Criminal Record Centre, Forensic Science Laboratory and Specialised Investigations.

 

The Detective Services Programme received a nominal budgetary increase of 7.2 per cent in 2020/21 when compared to the previous financial year. Although all sub-programmes received an increased allocation, the most pronounced increase is seen in the Specialised Investigations sub-programme (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations/DPCI), which received a nominal increase of 22.89 per cent.

 

In 2020/21, the SAPS has prioritised improving the capacity for specialised investigations. The increase in cases involving serious corruption and commercial crime over the past few years, and the constant threat to safety and security posed by crimes against the state, requires that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has sufficient capacity to effectively respond to these crimes.

 

Accordingly, R985 million was reprioritised over the MTEF period from funds previously allocated to the Detective Services programme for functions related to the Criminal Justice System (CJS) Seven‐point Plan (7PP). These funds will be reprioritised to spending on compensation of employees in the Specialised Investigations sub-programme in the same programme. The funds will enable the DPCI to appoint approximately 800 additional investigators over the medium term.

 

By the end of September 2019, the Directorate had approximately 19 000 cases for investigation, of which some were backlog cases from previous years that could not be finalised due to a lack of capacity. With the appointment of the additional investigators over the period ahead, the Department expects to clear this backlog and maintain a conviction rate of 70 per cent in respect of cases relating to serious fraud and corruption in the public and private sectors

 

Reducing violent crime, specifically those committed against women and children

Government’s 2019‐2024 medium‐term strategic framework sets out objectives towards a 50 per cent reduction in the number of violent crimes reported in South Africa in the next 10 years. These objectives relate to reducing violence against women and children, among other things.

 

To prioritise alignment with and the implementation of the integrated criminal justice strategy, including for supporting interventions related to combating violent crime and crimes against women and children, R1.3 billion is allocated over the MTEF period in the Detective Services programme.

 

5.4        Programme 4: Crime Intelligence Budget

 

The purpose of the Crime Intelligence Programme is to manage crime intelligence and analyse crime information and provide technical support for investigations and crime prevention operations. The Programme has two sub programmes including Crime Intelligence Operations and Intelligence and Information Management.

 

The Crime Intelligence Programme received a Main Appropriation of R4.4 billion in 2020/21, which is a nominal increase of 7.6 per cent from the R4.09 billion Adjusted Appropriation of the previous financial year. The Intelligence and Information Management sub-programme received a substantial nominal increase of 9.12 per cent in 2020/21 when compared to the previous financial year.

 

5.5        Programme 5: Protection and Security Services budget

 

The purpose of the Protection and Security Programme is to provide a protection and security service to all identified dignitaries and government interests. The programme has four sub programmes including VIP Protection Services, Static Protection, Government Security Regulator and Operational Support.

 

Overall, the Protection and Security Services Programme’s budget allocation increased the most out of all the Departmental Budget Programmes. In 2020/21, the Programme received a nominal increase of 9.3 per cent when compared to the previous financial year. The VIP Protection Services and Static Protection sub-programmes both received substantial nominal increase of 12.01 per cent and 8.57 per cent, respectively. The Government Security Regulator sub-programme received a nominal decrease of 7.02 per cent, which is a real decrease of 10.93 per cent when considering inflation

 

  1.       Provincial Budget Breakdown

 

 

 

6.1        Key Issues related to the Provincial Budget

 

  • A total amount of R60.4 billion is allocated to the provinces.
  • The Provincial budgets indicate nominal increases related to the estimates of expenditure of the previous year on a provincial basis.
  • Gauteng receives the biggest budgetary allocation of R13 450 626, followed by KwaZulu-Natal of R10 186 282 and Western Cape with R8 215 003. The allocations seem to reflect the highest allocations to provinces with the highest crime statistics provincially.
  • The compensation budget is included and managed centrally, through national controlled processes.
  • The national competencies, which are geographically located in provinces, are not included, i.e Forensic Services, Crime Scene Management, Crime Intelligence, Protection Services, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Crime Registrar, Intervention Unit, Special Task Force, Ports of Entry, Technology Management Services, Mechanical Services, etc.
  • Each Police station is staffed with Vispol (Visible policing staff), Detectives, Information management centre (IMC) and Crime Information Management Centre (CIMAC) and support staff.

 

6.2        Provincial Resource allocation

 

The Committee received the following provincial breakdown for the period 2019/2020 for resources which includes; Goods and Services, Machinery and Equipment, Facility Management and Vehicle Purchases:

 

  • A total of R403.3million is allocated to goods and services on a provincial level, which includes protective, specialized clothing and uniforms, ammunition and explosives and weapons and firearms spares. Machinery and equipment which includes weapons to provinces is allocated an amount of R60 million.
  • The total and largest amount allocated is for facility management which is R5.1 billion which encompasses buildings and other fixed structures, accommodation, lease of accommodation and municipal services.
  • The allocation of vehicles to provinces has been a key concern to the committee for a while as often police stations have insufficient vehicles alternatively vehicles are in urgent need of repairs. The allocation for vehicles in all provinces is R1.3 billion and the allocation of vehicles to divisions is, R273million.
  • A budgetary provision, of R13 million has been made available for implementation of the Firearms Control Act, 2000.
  • The main components of the COVID-19 spending are funded at national level. Engagements with the National Treasury are currently underway, in order to establish whether possible budgetary adjustments could be expected that will partially subsidise the expenditure.
  • The extent of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SAPS budget is quite significant and material in monetary terms, which required serious reprioritisation of all elements and programmes/economic classification for the Vote: Police.

 

6.3        Spending Focus 2020/2021 –2022/2023

 

The Department informed the Committee that the spending focus (goods and services and capital investment) over the medium-term includes:

 

  • Professionalising the police service through skills development.
  • Continued strengthening of the Criminal Justice System by supporting the Integrated Criminal Justice Strategy.
  • Capacitation of existing POPS units, intervention through deployments.
  • COVID-19 spending remains a prominent feature for resource allocation currently.
  • Sustain DPCI baseline allocation as recently increased.
  1.      Performance Indicators

 

7.1        Perception-based performance indicators and five-year targets

 

The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan includes several outcome-based performance indicators to measure internal and external satisfaction with police services. The external indicators focus on community perceptions and the internal indicators focus on SAPS members’ perception of organisational aspects of the Department. The public’s perceptions of the extent to which the SAPS addresses its constitutional mandate, as per Section 205(3) of the Constitution, will be the focus of measurement over the medium-term.

 

7.2        Programme 1: Administration Programme

 

Programme purpose: Develop departmental policy & manage the department, including providing administrative support.

 

The Administration Programme has identified 21 performance indicators, including six new indicators and several removed from the 2019/20 APP.

 

The six new performance indicators include:

 

  • 100% compliance with the SAPS’ Ethical and Integrity Plan.
  • Zero incidents of unauthorised expenditure.
  • 5% decrease in the number of incidents of irregular expenditure.  SAPS received a qualified audit opinion in 2018/19 because evidence could not be provided that all irregular expenditure has been accounted for. In 2018/19, the SAPS had irregular expenditure of R1.183 billion.
  • 5% decrease in the number of incidents of fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
  • Implementation of the SAPS Corporate Governance Framework by 31 March 2021.
  • 100% (309) of inspections completed in terms of the approved Inspection Plan.

 

SAPS highlighted some of the following indicators which may be impacted as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic:

  • New police stations (02) & Mobile Contact Points (15) Unforeseen COVID-related expenditure.
  • Specified training areas –Crime Prevention, Crimes against women/children & Crime Investigations (97%).
  • Training of specialised capabilities –POP, Forensics, Crime Intelligence & Cybercrime (97%) - (Numbers) - training of members suspended during Lockdown (stages 5&4).
  • IPID-related cases finalised within prescribed timeframe (90% in 60 days) – (Numbers) increased deployment of members to enforce Lockdown Regulations.
  • Unauthorised (Zero Incidents), fruitless/wasteful & irregular expenditure (Reduce by 5%) - Only irregular expenditure, increased procurement due to COVID (PPE).
  • Audits completed -Internal Audit Plan (100% -166) - Audit focus shifted to COVID compliance (quarter 1 audits affected).
  • Inspections completed –Annual Inspection Plan (100% -309) - Inspection focus shifted to COVID compliance (increased number of compliance inspections related to COVID compliance but other inspections suspended, e.g. thematic, follow-up).

7.3        Programme 2: Visible Policing

 

Programme Purpose: to enable police stations to institute and preserve safety and security, provide for specialised interventions and the policing of South Africa’s borders.

 

The Visible Police Programme has identified 26 performance indicators, of which six are new. Several performance indicators have been removed from the APP compared to the 2019/20 APP.

 

The Crime Prevention sub-programme has 16 performance indicators, of which five are new and several removed indicators. The notable indicators that were removed include:

  • Reaction times to Alpha, Bravo and Charlie complaints;
  • Implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy;
  • Number of identified schools in which the School Safety Programme are implemented; and
  • Reduction in the number of property-related crimes.

 

The five new performance indicators are aligned to the MTSF and the impact of Covid-19 on the relevant indicators include:

 

  • 90% of identified illegal liquor outlets closed. – (Number) Extraordinary law enforcement deployment & Lockdown restrictions.
  • To strengthen community partnerships, the SAPS will identify three strategic partnerships.

 

To increase police visibility:

  • The Community-in-Blue Conceptwill be implemented in all Provinces by 31 March 2021.  - No recruitment/training/deployment of community patrollersdue to covid-19.
  • One Province is to implement the Traditional Policing Concept. – Limited engagement with identified Traditional Leaders. Launch of the Royal Policing Capacity Units delayed due to covid-19.
  • 10 Pilot cities11 in which the Safer City Frameworkhas been implemented – Limited stakeholder engagements (SAPS Management, Metros, Municipalities, govt. depts.) delaying Summits and Safety Plans due to COVID-19.

 

The Border Security and Specialised Interventions sub-programme has 10 performance indicators, of which one is new. The new indicator aims to reduce illegal mining by 100% in order to reduce organised crime, which is a MTSF indicator.

 

The majority of performance indicators in the Border Security sub-programme revolve around crime-related hits reacted to as a result of the Movement Control System (MCS) and the Enhanced Movement Control System (EMCS) on wanted persons and circulated stolen or robbed vehicles. The other performance indicators aim to search 100% of profiled vehicles at land ports, containers at sea ports and cargo consignments at airports for illegal facilitation of persons, contraband, illicit goods and/or stolen/robbed property.

Those highlighted by the Department and which may be affected by COVID-19 includes:

 

  • Peaceful crowd management incidents policed (100%) - (Number) Lockdown restrictions. Reduced disposable income.
  • Unrest crowd management incidents stabilised (100%) - (Number) Lockdown restrictions. Reduced disposable income.
  • Medium to high-risk incidents responded to, in relation to requests received

(100%) -(Number) Extraordinary law enforcement deployment & Lockdown restrictions.

  • Safe delivery of valuable and/or dangerous government cargo, in relation to the number of cargo protection provided (100%) - (Number) extraordinary law enforcement deployment & Lockdown restrictions.
  • Identified illegal mining operations responded to, in relation to medium to high-risk requests received (100%) -(Number) extraordinary law enforcement deployment & Lockdown restrictions.
  • Crime-related hits reacted to as a result of the MCS & EMCS, wanted persons & circulated stolen/robbed vehicles (100%) -(Number) Lockdown restrictions. Reduced movement of persons and goods.
  • Profiled vehicles/containers and cargo consignment searched for illegal facilitation of persons, contraband, illicit goods and/or stolen/robbed property (land ports, sea ports & airports) (100%) -(Number) Lockdown restrictions. Reduced movement of persons and goods.

 

7.4        Programme 3: Detective Services

Programme Purpose: to enable the investigative work of the SAPS, including providing support to investigators in terms of forensic evidence & the Criminal Record Centre.

The Detective Services Programme has 29 performance indicators, of which 12 are new (all of which are in the Crime Investigations sub-programme) and five are revised (all of which are in the DPCI).

 

The Crime Investigation sub-programme has 16 performance indicators, of which 12 are new. As such, 75% of the sub-programme’s indicators are new. The majority of new indicators measure the comprehensive utilisation of forensic investigative leads, which is a positive step. All performance indicators measuring the percentage of trial-ready case dockets have been removed.

 

The new performance indicators and those affected by COVID -19 includes:

 

  • Percentage reduction in outstanding case dockets related to contact crimes older than 3 years. Target: 14.7% reduction.
  • Percentage reduction in outstanding wanted persons for contact crimes already circulated at the 30 High Contact Crime Weight stations. Target: 10% reduction. – Operational deployment of members. Lockdown restrictions (restricted access to the public & courts. Restrictions on the physical monitoring of performance (compliance inspections). Decline in aggressive approach to suspect track and trace operations / utilisation of informer network.
  • Percentage reduction in outstanding case dockets related to crimes against women older than 1 year. Target: 5% reduction.
  • Percentage reduction in outstanding case dockets related to crimes against children (18 years and younger) older than 1 year. Target: 4% reduction.  Operational deployment of members. Lockdown restrictions (restricted access to the public & courts). Restrictions on the physical monitoring of performance (compliance inspections). Decline in aggressive approach to suspect track and trace operations / utilisation of informer network. Possible increased reporting as restricted movement is lifted, bolstered by aggressive GBVF campaign by government.
  • Percentage of identified drug syndicates neutralised with arrests. Target 50%.
  • Percentage increase in the number of arrests for dealing in illicit drugs. Target: 5% increase.
  • Percentage of identified organised criminal groups neutralised with arrests. Target: 50%. – Operational deployment of members. Lockdown restrictions (restricted access to the public & courts). Restrictions on the physical monitoring of performance (compliance inspections). Decline in aggressive approach to suspect track and trace operations / utilisation of informer network.
  • Percentage increase in compliance with the taking of buccal samples from schedule 8 arrested offenders. Target: 60% compliance.
  • Percentage reduction in outstanding person-to-crime DNA investigative leads. Target: 5% reduction.
  • Percentage in reduction of crime-to-crime investigative leads. Target: 5% reduction.
  • Percentage reduction in outstanding fingerprint investigative leads. Target: 5% reduction.

Percentage reduction in outstanding Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) investigative leads. Target: 5% reduction. As a result of Covid-19, Investigating officers not able to communicate with witnesses / informers or effect arrests. Unavailability of witnesses. Courts partially closed.

 

The Criminal Record Centre and Forensic Science Laboratory sub-programme has seven performance indicators to improve the processing of fingerprint searches and maintenance of criminal records, to enhance the processing of forensic evidence and forensic intelligence case exhibits.

7.4.1     Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Sub-programme: Specialised       Investigations

The DPCI has six performance indicators, of which five have been revised.

Performance Indicators affected by Covid-19:

  • Trial-ready case dockets for serious corruption within in the public sector (50%).
  • Trial-ready case dockets for serious corruption within in the private sector (50%).
  • Trial-ready case dockets for serious corruption within in the JCPS Cluster (50%).

Suspension of recruitment process. Investigating officers not able to communicate with witnesses / informers or effect arrests. Inability to access expertise such as Forensic Accountants. Unavailability of witnesses. Courts partially closed. Potential increase in cases of misappropriation of funds through fraud and corruption.

  • Identified clandestine laboratories dismantled with arrests (90%) - (Number) Extraordinary law enforcement deployment & Lockdown restrictions.
  • Trial-ready case dockets for serious commercial crime (65%) - Suspension of recruitment process. Investigating officers not able to communicate with witnesses / informers or effect arrests. Inability to access expertise such as Forensic Accountants. Unavailability of witnesses. Courts partially closed. Potential increase in cases of misappropriation of funds through fraud and corruption.
  • Specialised cyber-related crime investigative support case files successfully investigated, within 90 calendar days (60%) - Suspension of recruitment process. Investigating officers not able to communicate with witnesses / informers or effect arrests. Unavailability of witnesses. Potential increase in cases of misappropriation of funds through fraud and corruption.

 

7.5        Programme 4: Crime Intelligence

Programme Purpose: to manage crime intelligence and analyse crime information and provide technical support for investigations and crime prevention operations.

The Crime Intelligence Programme has 13 performance indicators to enable intelligence-led policing, effectiveness of counter-intelligence measures instituted by the SAPS and enhanced external cooperation and innovation on police reform and security matters to prevent and fight crime. The targets for all performance indicators remain the same when compared to the previous year. Ideally, the targets should increase to encourage improved performance.

 

The conducting of security assessments, including the vetting of members, is one of the most basic defensive measures in the protection of classified and confidential information and counter-intelligence strategies. To achieve this outcome, the 2020/21 performance indicators include:

 

  • 100% (1 154) of security clearances finalised, in relation to the total planned annually.
  • 100% (3 160) of ICT security assessments finalised in relation to the total planned annually.
  • 100% (640) of mandatory physical security assessments finalised.
  • 100% (306) of planned security awareness programmes conducted.

 

The Crime Intelligence Programme relies on network operations to enable intelligence-led activities. In 2020/21, the Programme will successfully terminate 65.07% (570 from a total of 876 network operations planned) of network operations. Network operations are operations undertaken by Crime Intelligence on Provincial and Cluster level to gather intelligence/information so that a situation can be better understood or to generate intelligence/information on criminal organisations, groups or individuals that could be turned into evidence for use in a court of law. The performance on this indicator has been good in past years.

 

7.6        Programme 5: Protection and Security Services

Programme Purpose: to provide a protection and security service to all identified dignitaries and government interests.

The Programme has four sub-programmes, yet the 2020/21 APP only provides performance indicators for two sub-programmes, namely: Protection and Security Services sub-programme and Presidential Protection Services sub-programme. The other two sub-programmesGovernment Security Regulator and Operational Support, have no performance indicators assigned to them despite the sub-programmes receiving a budget allocation.

 

The two new performance indicators identified for the Protection and Security Services sub-programme are not necessarily new indicators, as they were included in the 2019/20 APP, but had targets measuring percentage of breaches in transit of VIPs and at VIP residences. The target now measures the number of such breaches (target of zero breaches).

 

The Department highlighted the following indicators that may be impacted by COVID-19:

 

  • Strategic installations audited (51.2% -128 of 250) Strategic installations not accessible due to Lockdown.
  • National Key Points evaluated (100% -209) NKPs not accessible due to Lockdown.

 

  1. Discussion / Responses by the Minister and Department

 

8.1        Gender Based Violence

Members queried the reduction in gender based violence statistics and indicated that they were not convinced of the inroads which SAPS claims to have made in the reduced crime statistics on gender based violence. For this reason, members requested that the Interim Steering Committee on GBVF comes to report on this matter to the committee and that a breakdown per police station of GBV cases recorded during the lockdown, be furnished to the Committee. Members welcomed the inclusion of perception based indicators but asked the Minister what measures would be put in place at police stations with high incidents of GBV.

 

The Department responded that the police use the variable domestic violence statistics as most disputes are between people that have a domestic relationship and are prone to experiencing tension as a result of the lockdown. The Department of Social Development is the custodian of the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre(GBVCC) statistics. Domestic Violence is a subset of GBV. The rationale behind using the variable domestic violence, in favour of GBV, is the fact that it is most likely people who have some kind of a domestic relationship, are prone to experience tension as a result of lockdown, as they are most likely confined to the same space as opposed to people who might not even have some kind of relationship. The statistics provided by the mentioned call center cannot be compared with the number of GBV cases reported to the SAPS, as the statistics of the call center include COVID related issues.

 

The Minister assured members that GBV was being taken seriously by the whole of government and that SAPS was taking it very seriously during its work with the inter-ministerial planning committee. SAPS will enhance its own structures to ensure that GBV is addressed effectively.

 

8.2        Unemployment and increase in crime

 

Members requested clarity on the measures that SAPS has in place to address the increasing levels of unemployment and increased crime, particularly in light of a limited budget.

 

The Department responded that there has been a decrease in numbers of staff as a result of service terminations. However, the Department is embarking on a personnel indaba to address staffing challenges by implementing a strategy to recruit those from school, clerks internally and reservists who were given an opportunity to reapply.

 

8.3        Police trainees (7000)

 

Members requested information pertaining to the State of the Nation Address which highlighted that 7000 trainees would be added to the police and the fact that SAPS has received over 3000 applications for early retirement. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the recruitment of these trainees has been suspended and members wanted to know how this would impact the visible policing programme and how the Department will address this challenge.

 

The Department responded that the recruitment of 7000 police trainees has been suspended currently due to the scaling down of the employment budget and as a result of Covid -19. Response Plans for enhancing visibility despite budget constraints, is in place by linking visible policing with the safer cities programme and modernization. Safer city technology in all cities will increase visibility and this has been shown to be effective in China and Beijing with advanced technology.The National Commissioner noted that most of the budget would be diverted to the rolling out of the safer cities technology in bigger cities first. This would allow an improvement of almost 50% of police visibility. The National Commissioner, however, assured the Committee that it would continue acquiring more personnel.

 

 

 

 

 

8.4        Renewal of Firearm Licences

 

Members were concerned about businesses and shops which sold ammunition and were being closed down. Members were further concerned that the Designated Firearm Officials (DFO) do not know how to properly implement the legislation in respect of the renewal of firearm licences.

 

The National Commissioner committed to issuing an instruction to Visible Policing to convene a session with the DFOs to address the matter of the firearms and correct the matters raised. The National Commissioner responded that the SAPS had finalised the processes for the Firearms Amnesty but more detail would be provided in writing.

 

8.5        Forensic Laboratories

 

Members were concerned that forensic laboratories are bogged down with insufficient material to do their work and that consumables are unavailable and wanted to know what the Department is doing to address this concern.

 

The Department responded that forensic laboratories are currently under the corporate renewal plan. The SAPS has appointed a new acting Divisional Commissioner to the corporate renewal plan. The resourcing of the Forensic Division is from the IJS and is linked to the baseline provisions. The presentation shows the normalisation of Forensic Services which is forward focussed and includes the extension of services to the districts.

 

8.6        Removal of several indicators

 

Members were concerned that several important performance indicators had been removed from the Department’s APP; including ICDMS, rural safety strategy, reaction time, property related crime and the removal of the trial ready case dockets indicator.

 

The Department responded that the ICDMS indicator was dependent on continuous assessment of areas which required further development. Further, it was dependent on SITA who had lost a lot of members and expertise, however the indicator is included in the annual operational plan for continuous improvement.

 

The Department informed the Committee that the DPME had introduced new planning formats for strategic plans and APPs of Departments. The DPME introduced a 3rd level of planning that requires the Department to have a departmental annual operational plan which will assist the Department to do an assessment of indicators moving forward. The Department therefore included impact and outcome indicators in the APP and the activity based indicators were migrated to the annual operational plan. Therefore, all the indicators which the Committee had claimed were removed were in fact now located in the annual operational plan.

 

8.7        Release of 19 000 inmates from Correctional Centres

 

Members enquired as to the role of SAPS and the measures which SAPS has in place to monitor the released inmates and to ensure that recidivism is prevented.

 

The Department responded that SAPS was part of the committee that considered the release of the 19 000 inmates to relieve the overcrowding in prisons and the SAPS made inputs at this level. In addition, the SAPS have taken DNA samples of all the released inmates for future tracing, should they be involved in any criminal activity. The proposal from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is that a multi-disciplinary monitoring team will be established and SAPS will establish avenues and intelligence operations to monitor the released inmates’ movements. Further, community based reintegration programmes between DCS and SAPS have been proposed as well as the formalization of community service which should form part of the sentencing procedure.

 

 

 

8.8        Community Policing Forums (CPFs)

 

Members wanted to know how the Minister would integrate CPFs into the budget as they play a critical role in communities and often work on a voluntary basis.

 

The Department responded that SAPS are still providing for the funding of Community Police Forums (CPF) but the actual funding of the CPFs fall under unfunded mandates. The SAPS made provision in the strategy to address it developmentally and would specifically budget for its activities. The National Commissioner noted the matters raised by the Committee with regard to the CPFs and committed to escalate it to the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSP) in order for SAPS and CSP to deal with the matter collectively.

 

8.9        Provincial Budgets

 

Members requested details related to what informs the amounts of the budget allocated to provinces and whether under-resourced police stations are being prioritized in the course of these financial allocations. Members also wanted to understand how bullet resistant vests and the number of vehicles were allocated to provinces.

 

The Department responded that SAPS wants to develop a scientific formula which will include variables to determine the different needs of police stations. This formula will ensure the equitable distribution of the budget to all police stations in all provinces.

 

8.10      High contact crime weight stations

 

Members requested information on the measures being put in place by SAPS on a provincial level to reduce the crime statistics in the 30 high contact crime weightstations.

 

The Department responded that the stabilisation and normalization plan is being used to address high density policing at the 30 high contact crime weight stations.

 

8.11      Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) – Specialised units and cybercrime

 

Members requested information on the progress made with the specialized unit dealing with cybercrimes and narcotics.

 

The DPCI responded that the capacitation of units in respect of firearms, narcotics and cyber- crimes is limited. The intention has been to recruit more people and the process of recruitment has already begun, but the process was delayed due to Covid-19. The intention was to acquire the necessary accounting skills to speed up commercial related crimes, computer skills for cyber-crimes and legal skills to place in the relevant areas. The DPCI is currently looking at using technology effectively to finalise the appointment process. DPCI is currently focused on addressing organized crime in a holistic manner.

 

8.12      Illegal Mining

 

Members remarked that new forms of crimes seemed to be emerging such as criminal economy, which represented a more sophisticated crime. Members highlighted illegal mining as one such crime and requested information on how the Department will address this.

 

The Minister reported that the Security Council met and discussed the criminal economy that includes the illegal mining operation raised in the member’s concerns. The SAPS has met with mining CEO’s as the operation requires additional resources to reverse this particular crime in the mining sector. Further, there is currently an arrangement between SAPS and the Department of Mineral and Energy to establish a dedicated unit to address illegal mining.

 

8.13      Disciplinary cases of SAPS officials

 

Members requested information pertaining to the details and status of disciplinary cases, particularly in respect of whether or not SAPS officials who had been found to be acquitted had been reinstated into their positions.

 

The Minister noted that the SAPS promotes ethical behaviour among its officials and enforces the compliance with the code of conduct and ethics but unfortunately some officials while on duty, conduct themselves in a less than exemplary manner while at work. In these instances, disciplinary measures are applied both punitive and progressive and where insufficient training is identified then this is addressed appropriately. The Department responded that there are officials who are acquitted and the Department would provide the Committee with the detailed information in writing.

 

8.14      Post Mortem Reports

 

Members reflected on IPID’s presentation wherein they had highlighted delays in receiving post mortem reports which caused delays in the finalization of their cases and requested that SAPS advise them of the measures that are being put in place to address this challenge.

 

The Department responded that it experiences the same challenges in respect of post mortem reports and that SAPS is following up on this matter with the Department of Health to fast track post mortem reports.

 

8.15      Goods and Services expenditure

 

Members requested clarity on the goods and services expenditure of SAPS and reflected on the fact that capital expenditure would be reduced and diverted to the procurement of PPEs. In light of this, members wanted clarity on what the goods and services budget covers, specifically in respect of vehicles and buildings.

 

The Department responded that the goods and services budget would experience a substantial budget reduction as a result of the procurement of PPEs and the Department is in the process of reprioritizing the budget accordingly.

 

 

8.16      Senzo Miyewa case

 

Members requested an update on the Senzo Miyewa matter. The National Commissioner provided an update on the Senzo Meyiwa investigation and reported that the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) jointly reviewed the teams from both NPA and SAPS dealing with the investigation and the NPA had appointed four advocates to the case. As soon as the NPA concludes their decision-making on the case the SAPS would then either effect an arrest or comply with any other directive from the NPA.

 

8.17      Release of Crime Statistics

 

Members requested information pertaining to the release of crime statistics which is currently released on an annual basis and whether the Minister would consider releasing crime statistics on a quarterly basis.

 

The Minister replied that the Department was gearing toward releasing crime statistics on a quarterly basis. The advance release calendar proposes dates for the release of quarterly crime statistics. After approval, the advance release calendar will be published on the SAPS website at the beginning of each financial year to normalise the regular release of the statistics

 

  1. Recommendations

 

9.1 Members recommended that the Interim Steering Committee on GBVF briefs the committee and provides a comprehensive update on GBVF cases recorded during the lockdown period to ensure that members receive the correct statistics. Members further recommended that the Minister ensures that police officials receive adequate training and that police stations have adequate resources to ensure that Domestic Violence matters are addressed effectively.

 

9.2 Members welcomed the Department’s plans to increase police visibility with the safer cities programme. Members recommended that SAPS ensures the speedy implementation of the safer cities technology as this will go a long way incontributing to the reduction of crime by 2030.

 

9.3Members welcomed the multi-disciplinary approach being implemented in respect of the release of the 19 000 inmates. Members recommended that SAPS ensures it works closely with DCS to monitor the release of the inmates and to put appropriate mechanisms in place to prevent recidivism.

 

9.4Members recommended that SAPS and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSP) ensures that it develops an appropriate budget for CPFs to function effectively as this will enhance the collaborative working relationship between SAPS and communities to ensure the reduction of crime.SAPS should provide the committee with a detailed breakdown per province of police stations that have functional CPF structures.

 

9.5 Members recommended that appropriate training should be conducted with SAPS officials to ensure that their behaviour is ethical and above reproach at all times when dealing with the public. Members recommended that in the event that SAPS officials are found to have contravened the code of conduct, SAPS leadership should act swiftly to implement disciplinary measures.

 

9.6Members recommended that both SAPS and IPID conducts follow up with the Department of Health to address challenges they may be experiencing in issuing post mortem reports timeously.

 

9.7Members recommended that DPCI fast tracks its recruitment and appointment processes to ensure the necessary skills and capacity are in place to address organized crime effectively.

 

9.8Members welcomed the Department’s plans to develop a scientific formula which will include variables to determine the different needs of police stations and to ensure the equitable distribution of the budget to all police stations in all provinces. Members recommended that the Department provide the Committee with a provincial breakdown of the specific resources, including vehicles, bullet resistant vests, firearms and clothing which has been allocated to each province.

 

9.9Members noted their concerns that many police stations, particularly those in rural areas, have insufficient vehicles to conduct their policing effectively. Members recommended that SAPS ensures that sufficient vehicles are provided to all police stations provincially and that the distribution of vehicles takes account of the needs of rural and under-resourced police stations.

 

9.10Members welcomed the fact that the forensic laboratories are currently under the corporate renewal plan. Members recommended that SAPS ensures that forensic services are extended to all districts as this initiative will enhance crime investigation at a district level.

 

9.11 Members welcomed the Minister’s announcement that crime statistics would be released on a quarterly basis. Members recommended that this be implemented speedily as the quarterly release of crime statistics will be invaluable to the Committee in measuring the work of SAPS towards reducing crime.

 

9.12 Members recommended the urgent engagement and training with Designated Firearm Officials (DFOs) to ensure that the renewal of firearm licences are dealt with effectively. Members further recommended that the Department and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service undertakes a review of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill to address the concerns related to the renewal of firearm licences.

 

9.13 Members recommended that SAPS prioritise the establishment of a dedicated unit to address illegal mining.

 

 

 

  1. Conclusion

The budget report reflects the current challenges which SAPS is experiencing in the implementation of performance targets as a result of the impact of covid-19. Due to the extraordinary situation the country finds itself in, SAPS will have to amend its Strategic Plan, APPs and budget at a later stage.

 

The Committee however welcomed the presentation by SAPS of its Strategic Plan, APP and budget and the Committee notes the potential impact which covid-19may have on the fulfilment of SAPS activities in the 2020/21 financial year.

 

The Select Committee supports Budget Vote 28.

 

Report to be considered.