ATC230517: Policy Assessment and Recommendations Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the 2023/24 Budget Vote 21, Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the Civilian Secretariat for Police (CSPS), dated 17 May 2023

NCOP Security and Justice

Policy Assessment and Recommendations Report of the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the 2023/24 Budget Vote 21, Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the Civilian Secretariat for Police (CSPS), dated 17 May 2023.

1. Introduction

The Select Committee on Security and Justice, on 10 May 2023, held a virtual briefing with the Civilian Secretariat for Police on their budgets and APP.

 

1. Strategic Plans

The CSPS has a key role to reduce violent crime through the promotion of a more active citizenry and the establishment of a new social compact. This can find expression in the implementation of the 2016 White Paper on Safety and Security and the 2022 Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS) that are focused on realising the vision of the NDP and call for an integrated and holistic approach to safety and security across all government departments and civil society. The ICVPS marks a critical shift in the narrative around crime prevention approaches in South Africa, and the role of the police in this regard.

 

According to the Secretariat, an integral part of the strategic focus for CSPS in 2023/24 will be on functionality assessments of both established Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and Community Safety Forums (CSFs) in order to ascertain effectiveness in terms of the implementation of policy in this regard, and to determine which of these structures need to be assisted and capacitated to function optimally. The Secretariat will further undertake a research study to measure perceptions towards community outreach programmes in improving community-police relations, with a particular focus on CSFs and CPFs.

 

In 2023/24, the Secretariat will establish a central database to consolidate all its recommendations made to SAPS on various aspects for ease of monitoring and reporting, while SAPS will incorporate the implementation of CSPS recommendations into its reporting frameworks. The Secretariat will conduct a Police Station Census Project for 2023/24, aimed at collecting comprehensive data at police stations across the country in order to determine the levels of improvement thereof on critical areas affecting policing, in relation to the baseline information that was collected in the 2017/18 Census.

 

The legislative programme for 2023/24 will focus on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill; Firearms Control Amendment Bill; Second Hand Goods Amendment Bill; and the Stock Theft Amendment Bill.

According to the Department, the effectiveness of their civilian oversight mandate, including the provision of strategic and policy advice to the Minister of Police, rests on adequate and reasonable access to SAPS systems and information by the CSPS and ultimately on the willingness to implement CSPS policy proposals and recommendations. As such, the working relationship and the effective functioning of cooperative governance structures between the SAPS and CSPS must be continuously strengthened

1. Budget Allocation 2021/22

The CSPS received a Main Appropriation of R154.2 million in 2023/24, which is a nominal decrease of R1.8 million or 1.1 per cent compared to the previous financial year. In real terms (inflation considered), the Department’s allocation decreased with R9 million, or 5.75 per cent.

The Administration Programme received a Main Appropriation of R70.7 million in 2023/24, which is a nominal decrease of 0.8 per cent (considering inflation, it is a real decrease of 5.51 per cent) compared to the previous financial year.

The Intersectoral Coordination and Strategic Partnerships Programme received a Main Appropriation of R26.6 million in 2023/24, which is a nominal decrease of 2.09 per cent compared to the previous financial year. However, considering inflation, the Programme received a real decrease of 6.66 per cent.

The Legislation and Policy Development Programme received a Main Appropriation of R23.5 million which is a nominal decrease of R100 000.00 or 0.56 per cent. In real terms, the Programme’s allocation decreased by 5.2 per cent. The Civilian Oversight, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme received a Main Appropriation of R33.4 million, which is a nominal decrease of 1.3 per cent. In real terms, the allocation decreased by 5.91 per cent.

In 2023/24, the percentages of the total Departmental budget remained similar compared to the previous financial year. The Administration Programme continues to receive the bulk of the Department’s total budget allocation at 45.87 per cent, which is a proportional increase of 0.12 per cent compared to the previous financial year. The Civilian Oversight, Monitoring and Evaluations Programme continues to receive the second largest proportional allocation from the total Departmental budget at 21.68 per cent. Compared to the previous financial year, the Programme’s proportional allocation decreased slightly by 0.04 per cent.

 

The Intersectoral Coordination and Strategic Partnerships Programme continues to receive the third largest proportional allocation of the total Departmental budget at 17.25 per cent. This is a decrease of 0.17 per cent compared to the previous financial year. The Legislation and Policy Development Programme continues to receive the smallest proportional allocation at 15.21 per cent. The Programme’s proportional allocation increased with 0.09 per cent in 2023/24 compared to the previous financial year.

 

3.1 Assessment of financial performance

Material Losses

The Department did not have material losses in the 2022/23 financial year. However there was one case confirmed as irregular expenditure for R35000.00–and the process of disciplinary/corrective action is in process. There is also two cases referred to the Judicial Service Commission related to the DPCI Judge for confirmation of irregular expenditure or not. The Department has processes and procedures in place to prevent material losses as well as recovery thereof in case of such an occurrence.

1. Annual Performance Plans 2021/22

In 2023/24, the Department identified 30 performance indicators, of which most targets remained unchanged from the previous financial year. The Department introduced two new targets in 2023/24.

 

According to the Department, the effectiveness of their civilian oversight mandate, including the provision of strategic and policy advice to the Minister of Police, rests on adequate and reasonable access to SAPS systems and information by the CSPS and ultimately on the willingness to implement CSPS policy proposals and recommendations. As such, the working relationship and effective functioning of cooperative governance structures between the SAPS and CSPS must be continuously strengthened.

 

4.1 Programme 1: Administration

 

Programme purpose: The purpose of the Administration Programme is to provide strategic leadership, management and support services to the Department.

 

For the 2023/24 financial year, the Administration programme has 7 performance indicators, of which two targets are new compared to the previous financial year.

4.2 Programme 2: Inter-sectoral Coordination and Strategic Partnerships

 

Programme purpose: The purpose of the Inter-sectoral Coordination and Strategic Partnerships Programme is to manage and encourage national dialogue on community safety and crime prevention.

 

For the 2023/24 financial year, the Programme identified nine performance indicators.

 

4.3 Programme 3: Legislation and Policy Development

 

Programme purpose: The purpose of the Legislation and Policy Development Programme is to develop policy and legislation for the police sector and to conduct research on policing and crime. For the 2023/24 financial year, the Programme identified nine performance indicators.

 

For the 2022/23 financial year, the Programme identified four performance indicators.

 

4.4 Programme 4: Civilian Oversight, Monitoring and Evaluation

 

Programme purpose: The purpose of the Civilian Oversight, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme is to oversee, monitor and report on the performance of the SAPS.  

 

For the 2023/24 financial year, the Programme identified 10 performance indicators, of which most targets remain unchanged compared to the previous financial year.

 

4.5 Assessment of Performance

4.5.1 Achievements and Challenges

 

• All provinces have been working to improve relations between the police and communities through strengthening capacity of the CPFs.
• Provinces adopted a Court Watch Brief Programme with specific focus on GBVF cases, which is yielding some good results as it has seen cases that had been withdrawn being re-enrolled.
• Despite limited resources, provinces are able to meet their targets in terms of police station oversight and community awareness programmes.
• Some provinces like EC, NC, MP, FS, NW and WC generally have insufficient resources within their monitoring and evaluation units.
• Unavailability of funds is the major contributing factor that negatively impacts on the ability of Provincial Secretariats to increase their human capacity and on effective implementation of crime prevention programmes.

 

4.5.2 Progress on Outputs

• Development of the second draft National Policing Policy, which provides policy direction for responding to the current policing, crime and violence challenges in the country.
• Finalisation of key legislation (DNA Bill and POCDATARA).
• Facilitation of CPF training in various district municipalities across the country.
• Coordination of the Khayelitsha Crisis Response Summit in Western Cape Conducting of anti-crime campaigns on GBVF in various provinces.
• Conclusion of a study on the monitoring of Exhibit Stores (SAPS13), focusing on Top 30 police stations nationally and provincially.
• Finalisation of a report on the assessment of members’ perception, accessibility and utilisation of the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness Programme.
• Finalisation, approval and implementation of the revised Performance Information Management Policy to synchronise planning, budgeting, reporting and risk management processes in order to enhance service delivery within the Department.

 

5. Discussions / Responses by the Minister and the Department

5.1 Surveys on service delivery: Members wanted to know whether in addition to awareness raising campaigns, the Department also conducts surveys within the communities. The Department responded that they do conduct surveys and that in the current financial year they will undertake a public satisfaction survey to check whether members of the public are happy. Generally, levels of satisfaction with SAPS is still low and the CSPS is working hard to improve this.

5.2 Large numbers of CPFs still to be assessed by CSPS: Members wanted to understand why there were still so many CPFs that had to be assessed. The Department responded that they conduct assessments on an annual basis to check functionality and they then develop programmes to capacitate them. In past financial years most CPFs were new and the Department now needs to do training and capacity building with them. However, due to budgetary constraints, the Department is unable to conduct training with big groups.

5.3 Court Watch Programme: Members wanted more information on this programme, particularly in respect of capacity and resources. The Department responded that the programme is implemented at a provincial level and the National office gives technical support. Cases in court are not moving or struck off roll due to poor investigation. The programme also monitors the GBV cases specifically. Resources are allocated from provincial secretariats.

5.4 Monitoring of IPID recommendations: Members wanted to know whether the Department has sufficient access to SAPS databases and whether the information is reliable in their monitoring function. The Department responded that according to legislation, when IPID sends recommendations to SAPS, these recommendations must also be sent to CSPS which gives them immediate access to the database. On a monthly basis IPID forum sits to check statistics to see that saps and IPID stats and recommendations are provided. They also have a consultative forum which receives statistics on recommendations and if there are challenges, this forum seeks to address those challenges.

 

5.5 Challenges impeding CSPS ability to fulfill statutory obligations: Members wanted to know what challenges exist, particularly in relation to the finalisation of legislation given that the Committee received the POCDATARA bill very late last year.  The Department responded that in the sector, the budget of CSPS is the smallest budget which impacts capacity, it bears mentioning that the legislation unit is the smallest unit. In the event that the budget is improved, the Department would be able to increase capacity by 2 positions.

5.6 Launch of brigades in Gauteng: Members saw this as a great initiative as it was community based and wanted to know if this programme would be rolled out to other provinces. The Department responded that the CSPS develops an enabling environment for CPFs to work with police and admitted that they have not looked into this but will in the future.

5.7 Support to CPFs: Members were concerned that despite the important role that CPFs play in the fight against crime, they are still not receiving stipends or tools of trade. The Department responded that there are challenges with CPFs but there are measures being put in place to look for resources to support CPFs and to give CPFs tools of trade including uniforms and stipends. The Deputy Minister responded that initially CPFs participated in policing on a voluntary basis. Different provinces are responding in different ways on how to provide for CPFs. SAPs is discussing the matter and has identified the resources to be put at the disposal of CPFs. This must be put in place at the end of the budget process. They are working hard to ensure that CPFs have the necessary tools of trade including uniforms, jackets and boots during winter. They are also looking at specific provinces such as the WC, Gauteng and Limpopo and they have tasked the MEC to make a presentation so as to develop a common approach as a country to address this matter.

 

5.8 Domestic Violence Act compliance of police stations: Members wanted to know why the 461 police stations visited were found to not be fully compliant. Members wanted to understand the challenges in relation to ensuring compliance at each police station. The Department responded that it is still a concern that they do not have full compliance. Those who are fully compliant are more than 80%. CSPS is working closely with the police to make sure stations are reaching compliance and have a compliance forum at provincial level. They conduct visits to stations and develop programmes to assist them. The census being undertaken this year will also assist and SAPS has ring-fence funds to improve this.

5.9 Level of co-ordination between national and provincial CSPS: Members wanted to know what is being done to strengthen this relationship and to avoid duplication. The Department responded that the HOD forum with secretariat for police meets on a quarterly basis. Resources are allocated to make sure work is done and to avoid duplication. There are specific functions between provinces and national to avoid duplication.

1. Recommendations

 

1. The Department should ensure that despite budget cuts, it finds innovative ways to fulfil its functions and mandate and work towards achieving the targets in its Annual Performance Plan.

 

1. The Department together with SAPS should focus all of its resources and efforts on ensuring that CPFs have all the necessary resources, including tools of trade, uniforms and stipends to assist in their fight against crime.

 

1. The Department should continue to strengthen its efforts to monitor the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act at police stations, particularly in rural police stations. The Department should ensure that all police officials are treating victims of domestic violence with dignity and integrity.

 

1. The Department should conduct research and develop a plan to rollout the brigades in all provinces to ensure a more holistic approach to the fight against crime.

 

1. The Department should ensure that capacity is increased and improved within the legislative unit, to ensure that there are no further delays in the drafting of legislation.

 

1. The Department should work tirelessly to ensure that all police stations are compliant in respect of the Domestic Violence legislation and that all police stations have the necessary facilities, capacity, training and resources to effectively address Gender Based Violence.

 

1. The Department should continue working efficiently to ensure that there are good working relationships between the provinces and the national office so as to avoid any duplication of work.

 

1. The Department should continue to strengthen its efforts to monitor the implementation of the IPID recommendations.

 

1. Conclusion

The Committee welcomed the presentation by the CSPS and recognised the challenges the Department is encountering in various areas of work.

The Committee encouraged the Department to continue its important work in respect of monitoring SAPS, including DVA compliance and continuously ensuring the effective functionality of CPF structures within communities, all of which contributes towards ensuring safer communities.

The Select Committee on Security and Justice supports Budget Vote 21.

 

Report to be considered.