Honourable Chairperson;
Minister of Police, Honourable Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia
Deputy Minister of Police, Honourable Doctor Polly Boshielo (In absentia)
Honourable Ministers in attendance;
Honourable Deputy Ministers;
Chairperson and Members of the Portfolio Committee on Police
Honourable MECs present;
Members of Parliament;
Heads of entities;
Ministry Staff;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
It is an honour to rise before this House today to table the Budget Votes of the two institutions essential to maintaining the credibility, accountability, and integrity of policing in a democratic South Africa; these are the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS).
The importance of the work of both the IPID and the CSPS has never been questioned but has become even more important in recent times with the advent of the Madlanga Commission, the Ad Hoc Committee of Parliament and other investigative bodies. The revelations playing out therefrom are concerning and are pointing to a deeper demand for routing out corruption and for public trust in law enforcement to be strengthened, with more vigour and determination than ever before. It is therefore with this in mind that through this budget we are focusing on strengthening accountability, professionalization and rooting out corruption within the South African Police Service.
IPID
To this effect, the IPID continues to execute its mandate independently, without fear, favour, or prejudice, while ensuring that police misconduct and criminality are decisively addressed.
As a labour-intensive institution, approximately 69 per cent of the Directorate’s budget over the MTEF period is allocated to compensation of employees. This investment is essential to sustain the specialised investigative capacity required to execute the Directorate’s constitutional obligations effectively.
In responding to operational demands and recommendations emerging from the Madlanga Commission and the Ad Hoc committee, IPID will continue reviewing and aligning its organisational structure with service delivery requirements. The Directorate is also mindful of the growing security risks faced by investigators, particularly in high-profile and corruptionrelated investigations, which require additional protective measures and resources.
Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period, the Directorate’s strategic focus will be on five key priorities:
- Reducing the backlog of cases, particularly corruption-related matters;
- Enhancing investigative and quality assurance capacity;
- Improving operational efficiency through technology and systems modernisation;
- Strengthening stakeholder and community relations; and
- Prioritising Gender-Based Violence and Femicide cases.
As I mentioned, a major concern and strategic priority for IPID remains the reduction of the investigation backlog. Over the next three years, IPID aims to reduce the backlog by 13 500 cases through the implementation of a dedicated backlog reduction strategy; and 25 experienced investigators will be recruited on contract to strengthen the existing investigative capacity.
At the same time, the Directorate is intensifying its anti-corruption efforts within the police service. IPID aims to finalise 45 corruption cases within 90 days of registration, reinforcing the principle that corruption within law enforcement structures will not be tolerated. This intervention is essential in restoring integrity within law enforcement institutions and reinforcing public confidence.
To improve prosecution outcomes and strengthen the quality of investigations, IPID will continue enhancing its quality assurance mechanisms. The Directorate plans to conduct quality assurance on at least 30 per cent of dockets annually to improve case readiness and legal compliance.
To further improve investigative excellence, the Directorate is establishing an in-house forensic investigation capability. This includes the recruitment of Financial Data Analysts, Cyber Forensic Experts, and Crime Analysts, as well as the procurement of forensic electronic systems to strengthen the handling of complex investigations.
IPID also remains committed to continuous skills development through partnerships with institutions such as the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Special Investigating Unit, and the Safety and Security SETA. These collaborations are strengthening competencies in fraud investigations, cyber forensics, procurement corruption, and internal investigations.
Through the continued implementation of the ICT plan, IPID is also enhancing its Case
Management System to integrate with the broader justice cluster systems, including the Integrated Justice System. This modernisation will improve case tracking, coordination, efficiency, and accountability. Investments in server upgrades and operational systems will further support institutional agility and responsiveness.
In improving accessibility and responsiveness, the Call Centre launched in August 2025, continues to strengthen citizen engagement by providing a centralised platform for complaints, inquiries, and stakeholder communication.
Honourable members; Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remain among the gravest challenges confronting our country. IPID continues to prioritise GBV&F matters through specialised investigative training and enhanced monitoring systems.
During the 2025/26 financial year, IPID finalised 132 rape investigations, which resulted in nine (9) criminal convictions and 19 departmental convictions.
In addition; 17 criminal convictions and 27 departmental convictions were secured for other GBV&F related cases. There is an additional 97 rape cases still on the court roll. A total of 21 investigators will receive specialised training in sexual offences investigations in the current financial year.
IPID remains resolute in its commitment to accountability, ethical policing, and justice for all South Africans. The Directorate will continue strengthening its investigative capability, protecting the rights of citizens, and contributing to a professional and trusted police service.
In order to deliver effectively on the mandate of the IPID, the budget is projected to increase from R428.6 million in 2025/26 to R479.9 million in 2028/29, despite baseline reductions over the medium term
CSPS
In exercising its constitutional mandate, the CSPS remains committed to using evidence based research to develop safety and policing policies as well as to continue to provide monitoring and evaluation reports to improve overall police performance and service delivery.
The Department has elevated the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy as key intervention in the 2024-2029 Medium Term Development Plan to advocate for the whole of government and whole of society approach to address drivers of crime and violence.
As reported last year; a National Working Committee (NWC) was established to ensure integrated and coordinated reporting on this strategy. The NWC meets on regular basis to facilitate and monitor the implementation of this strategy as well as provide progress update to Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster Development Committee, the JCPS Cluster Directors-General and FOSAD - outlining key achievements and challenges in addressing safety, crime and violence concerns in the country.
Thus far, the findings emanating from the NWC demonstrates that departments have sound policies and programmes addressing the root causes of crime and violence, but the impact is not felt. Issues of social cohesion, poor parenting, and break in family values, as well as poor service delivery at municipal level is hampering progress and must be addressed. The Department of Social Development in particular must address the psychological and social issues, and in this regards more social workers must be employed and utilized at family level. Importantly, as the ICVPS is a ‘whole of government’ approach, joint planning and budgeting is critical to negate the silo approach of government implementation of programmes.
In the 2026/27 financial year, a Perception Survey will be conducted to determine people’s feelings of safety in communities. This survey will serve as an important measure to assess the effectiveness of crime and violence prevention interventions and demonstrate the perceptions of community members on safety.
In support of implementing the ICVPS, a concurrent process is underway to strengthen policing. In 2025, Cabinet approved the National Policing Policy (NPP) which provides national direction on policing by way of police effectively executing their constitutional mandate. It seeks to address the organizational challenges within the police service, through enhanced professionalism, accountability and strong and ethical leadership, eradicating corruption, and ensuring competent and highly knowledgeable and skilled police members. It further advocates for strengthened oversight mechanisms for effective governance of policing which relies on maintaining a robust system of accountability achieved through consistent and independent scrutiny of police performance and conduct.
A National Policing Advisory Committee (NPAC) will be established under the CSPS to give effect to the directives of the NPP as well as to set standards for recruiting, selecting, appointing and promoting officers.
The recommendations of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on Police, once made available will simultaneously be implemented to ensure a much needed reform and re-setting of the South African Police Service. The reform will ensure that SAPS is professional, more ethical, competent and responsive to the needs of communities in the country. The above recommendations will be supported by the array of work on policing already undertaken by the CSPS, through its Research and M&E Reports, as well as Policies developed.
During the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February 2026, the President among others directed the Ministry to tackle gun crime by streamlining legislation and regulations on licensing, possessing and trading in firearms and ammunition. In this regards, the Firearms Control Amendment Bill will be introduced in Parliament in 2026.
Other initiatives to respond to the SONA directives include:
- Strengthening the Second Hand Goods Amendment Bill
- Assessing the integrity and conduct of the police
- Monitoring the implementation of the IPID recommendations by SAPS
- Assessing SAPS complaints management system
The Minister has also outlined specific priorities for the Sector, aimed at a national re-set agenda for policing and improving the levels of public trust in the South African Police Service. Such priorities were considered in the CSPS’ planning and included among others the following:
- Improved crime levels with a focus on GBV&F
- Reduction of firearm related crime
- Improved Public Trust in the SAPS
- Ensuring that the SAPS has adequate technological capability to measurably improve community services and its impact on crime and public safety
To address these Ministerial directives, top 140 police stations will be prioritised, with 50 nationally and 90 provincially (10 per province). The stations will be identified from the category of 17 community reported serious crimes used to measure the impact of crime on society. The sample will include urban and rural stations with high contact, serious and property crimes including murder, assault, sexual offences, robberies and stock theft.
The root causes of crimes and violence in these 140 police stations areas will be addressed through ensuring the relevant municipalities and departments implement their departmental mandates. For example, if street lights in a particular area are not working, the relevant municipality will be required to ensure the lights work.
Similarly, where youth are identified as being exposed to anti-social behaviour, the Departments’ of Social Development, Sports, Arts and Culture, and others must intervene to divert the youth to more beneficial activities.
Monitoring the SAPS implementation of the CSPS Database of Recommendations remains uppermost in our minds. To this end, to address the enforceability of CSPS recommendations by SAPS, we are reviewing the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Act. We have also submitted the South African Police Service Amendment Bill to Parliament. This Bill seeks to overhaul police administration, improve accountability, and address constitutional defects in compliance with our Constitution.
Civilian oversight remain central to the CSPS mandate, the Department has established DNA Board to ensure regular effective governance and oversight over the overall operations of the National Forensic DNA Database (NFDD). Several community engagements and public awareness will be implemented to profile the mandate of the Board and encourage the general public to report complaints regarding alleged violations related to the misuse of DNA samples and forensic DNA profiles. The Board will make recommendation to the SAPS to ensure effective and efficient functioning of the Forensic Science Laboratories across the country.
Similarly, key activities in the office of the DPCI Judge will be executed including investigations of human rights violations committed by the Hawks, political and other interference into investigations conducted by the Hawks and profiling of the work of the DPCI Judge to ensure that it is well known in communities.
The CSPS continues to execute its mandate as best as they can. However, for the CSPS to fully realise its mandate as promulgated in the Constitution, the Department recently submitted its budget requirements to the value of about R973.9 million against the current proposed budget of R181.3 million; which is a shortfall of approximately R792.6 million.
The submitted budget requirements include the following, among others:
- Additional staff complement of about 345 personnel against the current staff establishment of 173
- About R27.4 million for Business Processes Digitisation and Automation
- Acceleration of the implementation of the ICVPS
- Establishment of National Policing Advisory Committee is one of the key deliverable of the NDP vision 2030
- Establishment of Critical Infrastructure Board is another statutory oversight body which needs to be established and equally requiring funding to deliver on its mandate.
While slow economic growth and negative budget outlook is acknowledged in the country, funding for preventing the root causes of crime and violence is imperative. Access to alternative funding will be explored over the medium-term in consultation with Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for application of Criminal Assets Recovery Accounts (CARA) funding. More importantly we would also pursue consultation with MOU strategic partners and other stakeholders to ensure that our sustained efforts of building safer communities are not entirely compromised.
Thank you
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