The South African Police Service (SAPS) top management from Supply Chain Management appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Police in parliament for an intense discussion on leased buildings within the SAPS and the management of such responsibility thereof.
There is a total of 1 356 leased building in the SAPS throughout the country with a budget allocation of over R900 million per annum. SAPS presented a detailed report to parliament focussing on definition of leased facilities, procedure in determining how to satisfy the need, the leasing process, lease expenditure, the leasing strategy and challenges within the environment.
Members of the oversight committee engaged robustly on the subject that was rather a hot potato throughout the three and half hour session in parliament. SAPS management were upfront with the challenges which are not entirely the responsibility of the police however, a cross cutting responsibility between the South African Police Service and the Department of Public Works as per respective mandates.
SAPS conducted an audit of all leased facilities by the police including official accommodation, living quarters and land. During the audit, the process of verifying of leases against actual inspections was conducted. Upon reconciliation the removal and addition of leases to the SAPS portfolio was captured accordingly on the Property Management Information System.
The Portfolio Committee raised a number of concerns, over the management of leased property for the police and value for money. Meanwhile other issues relating to the capacity of SAPS of handling the responsibility versus that of Department of Public Works was debated. SAPS is considering taking over the responsibility of paying for municipal rates and not the leasing function.
The issue of management being held responsible for the consequences was raised repeatedly by the oversight committee, including progress made thus far, on the remedial steps that were recommended by the Public Protector during the findings of the Pretoria and Durban Police leases saga.
The eviction of police members on duty from leased buildings due to non-payment was another sore issue during the deliberations. This has direct implications which hampers on service delivery, due pure poor management from the side of government. SAPS indicated plans aimed at repositioning the property management section of the police including engaging on bilateral talks with the top management of the custodian of government property, the Department of Public works in addressing challenges going forward.
The role of the SAPS as the law enforcement agency was reiterated by the oversight committee on matters relating to value for money versus escalation of costs for leased facilities in government. SAPS constantly engage the Department of Public Works on issues of costs and value of money to avoid exorbitant rates for government accommodation in the interest of service delivery.
Media Contact:
Major General Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
Fax: 012 400 7018
E-mail: mediacentre@saps.org.za
