The National Police Commissioner has briefed the Portfolio Committee on Police on SAPS’ restructuring process.
The Committee was not happy that it had first learnt about the police’s restructuring through the media. “I would really request from the department that in future when such changes take place the Committee be taken on board when it happens. It is not pleasant for the Committee members to read about such changes in the newspapers,” said Committee Chairperson, Ms Annelize van Wyk.
The restructuring is based on the revised SAPS draft Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) strategy 2015-2019.
The Rationale behind the restructuring of SAPS is to, among others:
- Reduce Deputy National Commissioners to three from six
- Establish a research institute
- Crime Intelligence and Protection Services now to be separated into two divisions
- New divisions: Strategy, Research and M&E, Facility Management and Research Institute
Need to say the committee has heard the presentation of the restructuring and awaits more clarity on certain issues raised.
The Committee is cautiously optimistic about the restructuring and whatever changes that have been bought forth must have positive results in terms of reducing of crime and ensure better safe living of the citizens. Furthermore, the Committee expects that the management of SAPS will manage better their responsibilities that they have, especially the shortcomings revealed by the restructuring process.
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