Budget vote: Department of Police and IPID delivered by Minister of Police
Honourable Chairperson;
Honourable Ministers present;
Honourable Deputy Ministers;
Chairperson of the portfolio committee on police and members of the Portfolio Committee;
Honourable MECs present;
Members of Parliament;
Heads of entities;
Ministry of Police;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Sanibonani, Dumelang, Molweni, Ndimadegwane, Avuxeni
Chairperson, I ascend this podium this afternoon tabling the budget vote of a highly contested territory to date, not only in our country but across international borders. Truth is as law abiding citizens, we are sharing the space with criminal underworld operatives who pays no tax, possess no visa and has no Auditor General. This so called ‘parallel governance structure’ is hell-bent to frustrate, kill and destroy our children, women and every moral fibre in our communities. Be that as it may, I stand here today to reiterate a progressive notion that says ‘An Epitome of Safety and Security in any country is when people feel safe’. Hence I call upon South Africans to work with us in Squeezing the space for criminals to Zero.
Honourable members, in recent years the tide of Crime Statistics in our country has revealed a dreadful trend, with alarming levels of both contact and trio crimes under the veil of ‘Violence’ being the common denominator in the whole chain. This talks directly to the target set by his Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa to half violent crimes in the next decade. Equally, the directive comes at the backdrop of many voices of wailing parents, communities, women and Children as well as all other vulnerable groups.
Chairperson, we are confronted with a sad reality of multiple burial activities in Cemeteries than new-borns in maternity wards. The recurring scenes of scattered dead bodies in the streets of Phillipi, Mitchells Plain and Nyanga are unbearable. It is on that score that I challenge all Generals in the SAPS to surrender their uniforms if this situation does not improve. The battle ahead of us requires a dedicated and selfless workforce that is equal to the task.
Therefore chairperson, as architects entrusted with such an enormous responsibility to design the South Africa that we want, allow me for the second time to dedicate this budget vote to Crimes Against Women, Children and the Vulnerable Groups. The subject of Gender Based Violence talks to hearts and minds of all of us. We cannot rest when women and children, wives, daughters and grandmothers are raped and brutally murdered cold blooded by those they love and at times known in their neighbourhoods.
Honourable members, allow me to table a summary of successes and achievements linked to 2018/19 budget vote.
- Response to violent public protest - The POP capacity has been resourced to the amount of R655 million, through the introduction of 90 second Generation Nyalas, nine water cannons, and customised Joint Operations Centre (JOC’s), various vehicles for reaction, information gathering and field support.
- Tactical Response Teams (TRT) and Tracking Teams – The training and retraining of TRTs is in progress to date a total of R17, 721 million was spent on resourcing of TRTs, in relation to equipment and vehicles. The project continues with an earmarked allocation of R15 million for the current financial year.
- Cash-in-Transit Heists – Increased resource deployment contributed positively towards the significant reduction in CITs. The following financial allocations were made to address CIT-related crimes: R50.088 million for high performance vehicles, R33.523 million for deployments and overtime.
- Combating Gangsterism - The launch of the Anti – Gang Unit was a major highlight in this regard. Financial allocations to address gangsterism: R119.804 million was spent on deployments for Operation Thunder in the Western Cape and R18.582 million in addition for vehicles to Western Cape Anti-gang Unit.
Promotion of SAPS members
Last year 69 219 members were long overdue for promotion. In line with the organisations goal of boosting employee morale and retaining seasoned and dedicated police officers. In the last financial year we promoted 28 067 members through grade progression with a budget of R557 million. This year we will further promote 20 000 members for grade progression with the budget of R773 million. The remainder of 17 000 will be grade progressed next year (2020) to conclude the backlog.
We are working towards ensuring that we never find ourselves with such a backlog again. Chairperson, as you are aware that the process of Re-grading of special units was highly challenged last year, hence I directed the SAPS to establish a dedicated task team to process the matter further for better outcomes. In the meantime the process of re-grading has been put on hold.
We are a government that cares for the well-being of our employees. We want our members to earn decent salaries which will allow them to live in dignity. For it is each and every one of them who ensures that we have the best policing service for our people.
The above information gives a highlight of progress to date in relation to priority areas as reflected in the budget vote of 2018/19 financial year. All of the above priorities are still work in progress and a lot still needs to be done in achieving our service delivery outcome of ensuring that the people of South Africa are and feel safe.
SAPS budget 2019
The MTEF budget amounts are R97,5 billion (2019/2020), R104,3 billion (2020/2021) and R111,1 billion (2021/2022), with a growth of 6,89% between the previous financial year (2018/2019) and the current financial year (2019/2020).The SAPS budget will reach R111,1 billion by 2021/2022, which reflects an increase of nearly 45% over the six(6) year period since 2015/2016 when the budget was R76,7 billion.
SAPS compensation of employees will reach R87, 2 billion by 2021/2022, which reflects an increase of 52% over the six (6) year period since 2015/2016 when the compensation budget was R57, 4 billion.
Compensation of employees will remain the largest driver of spending providing for remuneration costs of personnel, consisting of more than 78% of the total budget for the 2019/2020 financial year.
Departmental spending over the medium term will be in relation to the core programmes with Visible Policing more than 51% weight of the total Vote in the 2019/2020 financial year. The Detective Service programme in terms of weight is also a discernible portion of more than 20%. Operational expenditures including goods and services, transfer payments and payments for capital assets total 22% in the 2019/2020 financial year.
The SAPS has an obligation to maintain peace and public order before, during and after all elections. Accordingly, additional funding of R180 million for compensation of employees has been allocated to the department in 2019/2020 to support its activities during the 2019 national and provincial elections to ensure safe and secure elections. These included escorting voting material and Electoral Commission employees, static protection at voting stations, and mobilising reaction teams especially at medium-and high risk areas.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has the mandate to investigate crimes against the state, serious commercial crime and organised crime and serious corruption. The DPCI’s budget, which is ring-fenced for specific and exclusive utilisation, totals R1, 732 billion during 2019/2020.
The multi-year budget of the SAPS will built further on the priorities already funded and identified as to sustain the level of services rendered. Cabinet has approved reductions to the department’s baseline amounting to R1.5 billion over the medium term as follows: R853 million over the period is transferred to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in support of the migration of the Integrated Justice System programme (IJS) to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to centralise the management and coordination of the programme. (SAPS will still have access to the funds transferred when needed, provided project plans are submitted to the IJS board for approval)
R570 million over the medium term is reduced across all programmes from non-core goods and services items due to the implementation of cost-containment measures. R60 million over the MTEF period is reprioritised from the Criminal Justice System programme (CJS) to the Department of Home Affairs to support the establishment of the border management authority; and R20.3 million over the medium term is shifted to the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service for providing for leasing of their own office accommodation. In addition, the department will still have access to funds transferred to the integrated justice system programme when needed, provided project plans are submitted to the integrated justice system board for approval.
Directorate for priority crime investigation
Chairperson, the fight against corruption is currently intensified, the Hawks are making serious inroads in economic crimes and we are witnessing significant arrests in this regard. To date 1800 dockets have been submitted to the NPA for determination.
In heeding to the call by the Honourable President to reduce violent crime, the functioning and capacitating of the National Bureau for Illegal Firearm Control and Priority Violent Crime (NBIFCPVC) and the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) will be prioritised in order to address the scourge of violent crimes, the number of firearms lost and stolen and the effect that the illegal pool of firearms have on violent crime in South Africa. These units play a crucial investigative role in the arena of violent crime since both firearms and drugs are main contributors to violent crime. NBIFCPVC also investigates Cash-in Transits (CITs), robberies. Focus will also be on organised criminal grouping that target various commodities, ranging from drugs, endangered species, mineral resources and human trafficking.
Cyber-related crime continues to pose a serious risk to the economy and state security as a whole. The National Security Strategy, highlighted cyber insecurity as a threat to the stability of the Republic, the Constitutional order and State Institutions. The effective implementation of these units will also be prioritised.
Equally, in support of the mandate of the newly established Investigative Directorate in the office of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the DPCI continues to support the Investigating Directorate through a multi-disciplinary approach and has since assigned investigators to the Directorate. However the DPCI must be considered for additional personnel so that we are not depleted and this does not impact on the investigations.
The DPCI shall rebuild to return to what is expected. This shall include the enhancing of skill levels through qualitative training methodologies as well as the selection of personnel shall be professional and merit-based. The vacant senior management positions in particular Gauteng and Eastern Cape will be filled by 1 September 2019.
Establishment of Detective Academy
The plans to enhance the capacity of the investigative units with sufficient resources is receiving greater attention. To this end, a Detective academy will be established to strengthen the capacity and training of new detectives and specialized investigators. Cooperation between prosecutors and investigators through prosecutorial guided investigation will be intensified to improve the success rate of all priority cases. Moreover, we will be engaging within the JCPS cluster for the establishment of dedicated, specialized courts to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice system.
Firearm amnesty
Due to the proliferation of illegal firearms which are a major contributor to crime levels, we are in a process to approach cabinet to consider a Firearm Amnesty period. With an objective aimed at;
- Reducing the number of illegal firearms.
- Provide firearm owners with the opportunity to hand in unwanted firearms.
- Prevent crime and violence and promote safety.
- Address the fundamental causes of crime, in order to effectively protect our communities.
- Ensure people living in South Africa are safe
We making call for action to the community to make use of this opportunity since we are going to have no mercy when we deal with any unlawful possession of firearms.
Reduction of violent crimes
The reduction of crime levels, specifically the trio crimes and crimes against women and children, including domestic violence which despite continued success during the past, remain a challenging task given the prevailing socio-economic conditions in the country. This is an objective that the SAPS cannot achieve on its own and it will require an integrated approach involving all communities and spheres of government.
Police visibilty and trainining of new recruits
Increasing the visibility of SAPS personnel members, particularly at a station level is a priority and includes the focussed patrolling of cities, villages and towns informed by identified crime tendencies and patterns and the appropriate use of technical response teams. Significant strides have been made in increasing the number of police officials within the visible policing environment, however it has become necessary to re-evaluate the manner in which resources are being utilised, thereby improving the effective use of current resources. Various strategies will continue to be used to improve the effectiveness of visible policing, examples of which includes the strengthening of police stations where there is a higher occurrence of crime, the utilising of force multipliers (metro police ) and partnership policing and sector policing.
Significantly we shall be undertaking the following operations as part of enhancing police visibility;
- Blue lights campaign
- More marked vehicles
- Highway patrols especially starting from Thursday afternoon to Monday mornings
- Senior Management will spend more time engaging communities
- Encouraging Police Stations Commissioner's to adopt a school campaign within their areas of jurisdictions
- Removal of drug addicts from the streets
Training will be intensified within the MTEF, SAPS training colleges have registered a total of 5000 students this financial year, which are currently receiving Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP). We envisage to increase the numbers in the next two intakes to 7000 per annum. We will intensify cooperation with Metro Police, Road Traffic to further increase visibility in our villages, towns, cities and importantly on our roads, through a coordinated system developed by National and Provincial JCPS Clusters.
The SAPS will in the near future launch an automated online e-recruitment process as part of government-wide process to make it simpler and easier for people, especially the youth, to apply for job opportunities within the service. This will be beneficial because it will be web based and accessible from different locations for all applicants to submit applications to a centralised database.
The automated system will further address challenges experienced in the manual system. To date the Minister’s office is inundated with complaints of alleged corruption in the manual system, of which I have already called for thorough investigation in this regard.
Improving infrastructure
The geographic distribution of the SAPS is substantial as it is one of few government departments that has a physical presence in virtually every city, town and village across the country. This extensive distribution is essential in order that the services provided by the SAPS in support of safe and secure communities, may be accessed as quickly and conveniently as possible. We will do away with building huge “university” police station and build small to medium size police stations which will be accessible to communities.
Investment in technology
Extensive technological advancement in the fight against crime is crucial. The JCPS cluster departments will set aside dedicated funding to improve technology that will drastically reduce all priority crimes. Automated systems will be introduced in certain environments to improve efficiency. The world revolves around technology and no country will succeed in the fight against crime without significant investment in technology, within the spectrum of the 4th industrial revolution.
Anti gang unit
In responding directly to the scourge of gangsterism, the Anti-Gang Unit will be elevated to a national unit under Operational Response Services (ORS), and other specialised unit will be introduced. This unit will extend its mandate and join other specialized units to deal with other crimes of fear that are terrorising our communities. These include murder, rape, car -hijackings, house robberies, house burglaries and Cash In Transit heists.
The success rate of the 72 hour activation plan is gaining momentum. This plan mobilizes maximum resources to ensure that preliminary investigation is done thoroughly and to guarantee that no evidence is lost and perpetrators are expeditiously brought to book. This was done at the backdrop of the spike in Cash in transit heist which dropped drastically in 2018.
Gender based violence
Gender based violence is unacceptably high in South Africa which inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and freedom on the basis of equality of men. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) becomes extraordinarily important. There are currently 185 FCS Units which creates a specialist investigative environment to deal with gender-based violent crimes including sexual offences, with a focus on serial rape-related cases. Furthermore, the Police has established 1 047 dedicated victim friendly facilities at police stations countrywide to accommodate and assist victims.
Gender based violence continues to be a serious challenge engulfing our society. We will be intensifying our monitoring of the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act to ensure that all victims receive the appropriate support and assistance at all our police stations. In the next few months we intend to increase the number of FCS units and to recruit and train more women to work within the environment.
In the financial 2018/2019 the number of people convicted and sentenced for various gender based violence cases, it is worth mentioning that during the same period 399 people were sentenced to 656 life sentences out of 504 registered cases.
Chairperson allow me to share a good story of one our members Warrant Officer Tlala Mokoena is one investigator whose quality of investigations and successful convictions have restored the confidence in the police. Mokoena is a detective in the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the Gauteng Province and is behind the conviction of Soweto Taxi Rapist, Gift Lebohang Mokwena in 2017.
He also previously arrested a suspect for rape and managed to link that suspect to 92 other rape cases. The suspect is currently serving a hefty 105 years behind bars. At least five other serial rapists are serving time behind bars thanks to Warrant Officer Mokoena who ensured multiple life sentences against several serial rapists who had been terrorising women in various parts of Gauteng.
Warrant Officer Mokoena was promoted by the National Commissioner, from Constable to Warrant Officer, skipping the rank of Sergeant, also with effect from 01 February 2019 at the SAPS national excellence awards. It is also worth mentioning that in the last five years Warrant Officer Mokoena has secured 70 life sentences of serial rapists.
Lieutenant Colonel Joyce Busisiwe Buthelezi is stationed at Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, Investigative Psychology Section of Division Forensic Services. With 33 years working as a detective and specialising in Psychologically Motivated crimes. Chairperson another good story to tell is that of imbokodo Lt Colonel Buthelezi secured a conviction of Mlungisi Mtshali a birthday serial rapists who raped twenty (20) university students and was sentenced to 39 life imprisonment sentences and a further 212 years imprisonment. As well as the Evaton taverns serial rapist Pule Andries Dahile alias Gabler who preyed on women coming from taverns in Evaton area raping seven (7) victims, amongst the victims there was a twelve (12) year old girl who was raped in her home. The accused was convicted and sentenced to 56 years imprisonment.
Furthermore in a separate case Lieutenant Colonel Buthelezi was instrumental in the Waterloo Serial rapist Bheki Doctor Maqwaza. The serial rapist started to commit crime in 2008 and was arrested in 2016. He raped fifteen (15) victims amongst the victims there was a sixteen (16) year old who was with a friend coming from a study group. The rapist was a Fidelity guard security in Pinetown who was responsible to issue or book out firearms to other securities at his work place. The accused was convicted and sentenced to 319 years imprisonment in February 2018.
Top 30 stations
Moreover, in creating a South Africa that we want, our policing approach will be vigorously enhanced and improved to correctly respond to the new set targets. A complete overhaul and reprioritisation of resources and budgets will be channelled accordingly to address the improved policing approach and revised strategies.
All top 30 crime stations and drug infested communities will be prioritised with improved resources and extensive deployment. The Tactical Response Unit and National Intervention Unit members will be deployed in full, in all top 30 crime stations these members will not be kept in doors for no reason when our communities are under siege.
As an immediate response, Base Camps will established at crime hotspots in all top 30 stations. Additional resources will be deployed strategically to support operations. Operation Buya Mthetho/ O kae molao as championed by Gauteng province will be elevated to National; therefore all Provincial Commissioners are directed to formulate crime busting strategies in line with Operation Buya Mthetho every week at crime hotspots areas.
In this regard Minister is committing to invoke clause 74 of the SAPS Employment Regulations (deployment of SMS members) especially to change personnel where there is zero progress. As an emphasis, the Minister and the National Commissioner will be pronouncing on strategic management changes in the next few weeks.
Crime prevention and environmental design challenges
Honorable members, the environmental design in most policing precincts needs to be improved for better policing in most provinces. We therefore call upon all strategic partners including provincial governments’ to work with us in building safer and secure communities where everyone is able to walk the streets without fear.
The environmental design in the historical disadvantaged communities especially in the Western Cape hinders effective policing. Our police officers are expected to effectively police highly densely populated areas where there are no roads, no street addresses, no street lights, and no street cameras.
The communities of Samora Machel, Browns Farm, Alexandra, Diepsloot, Inanda, Gelvandale and Bethelsdorp and all communities must be afforded better policing with adequate supporting infrastructure.
Crime intelligence
Crime intelligence is a key support to the investigation and prevention of crime and the focus during 2019 to 2024 will be on providing quality services to its clients within the SAPS, so as to provide actionable intelligence and to enable prosecutions. In this regard, Crime Intelligence will emphasise intelligence operations pertaining to serious crimes including contact and trio crimes, syndicates involved in drugs, human trafficking, illicit mining and all economic crime trends. The capacitation of Crime Intelligence will receive higher priority and high level resourcing in this regard.
Justice crime prevention and security cluster (jcps)
Chairperson we commit ourselves as organs of the State within the criminal justice cluster to assume State control in ensuring that the safety of our communities is our priority and supporting our democracy. We shall defend our sovereignty, the Constitution and our communities against criminals, to this end we are calling our criminal justice partners to work in a coherent, integrated and coordinated system in dealing with bail applications. No accused especially those charged under schedule five (5) and/or six (6) must easily be granted bail. Repeat offenders must be denied bail, especially those who commit serious offences whilst on bail.
Part of assuming State control is to subject criminals to the laws of the land and forcing them to be law abiding citizens like millions of other South Africans.
A clarion call must be made very loud and clear on behalf of all the victims of criminality, South Africa is a caring and loving country not withstanding our socio-economic hardships. Victims of crime must not feel like criminals are treated far better than them. Victims of crime must receive first class and or better treatment from the State when reporting their misfortunes and support from communities. Victims of crime suffer in many painful ways, and the State must accord them that duty of care and assist them in dealing with their ordeals in a very sensitive, caring and humanely possible manner.
Criminals must and we repeat must never find comfort at the expense of their victims, yes they do have basic human rights but such rights must never be misconstrued or elevated to a superior status more than the rights accorded to their victims. Once one is convicted for a commission of a crime you are a criminal. Criminals forfeit some liberties that are enjoyed by the rest of the society; criminals must be treated as such.
We call upon the State Apparatus to assume State control in the better interest of our country wherein law abiding citizens enjoys their liberties in a safe, democratic and prosperous South Africa and that time is NOW!!!!
Police killings
Chairperson, the safety of the police men and women will forever remain a priority for Government and is at the heart of the SAPS’s strategic imperatives to ensure the safety of our members. The manner in which our police officers are attacked and killed undermines the authority of the State, safety and security of our citizenry.
Killing’s and attack of members of the South African Police Service; we view it as direct attack on the State. Those who commit these kinds of crime must be dealt with in a very punitive manner. Police members are a national asset and they need to be protected by all of us including members of the community.
Establishment of the SAPS medical wing
Equally, in intensifying our efforts of curbing police killings and to provide efficient method of providing health care and support to the SAPS personnel. We are working towards the establishment of the SAPS medical wing to provide emergency relief during small, medium and high risk operations, including quality and efficient health services to SAPS members while executing their duties. The SAPS medical wing will provide continuous operational health support to increase vitality and properly manage the ever abused sick notes system.
Community empowerment
The SAPS and entities reporting to the Ministry will prioritize community upliftment projects and contribute significantly to support youth owned and women owned businesses. To this end, the SAPS is at an advanced stage to finalize contracts that will be devolved to station level. The following will be implemented to improve township economy:
- All police vehicles will be washed by local car wash operations
- All police low maintenance of spares, tyres, batteries will be devolved to local mechanics
- Youth from TVET collages with mechanical engineering skills will be granted opportunities to offer alternative support to SAPS Garage
- Towing services will be devolved to support local businesses
- All food arrangements at police holding cells will benefit local youth companies
Community participation in the fight against crime
Honourable members, community participation in the fight against crime is crucial, in achieving any of the set targets, as we all agree that violent crimes are a social problem. The extent of the brutality in most contact crimes such are murder and rape, the abuse of drugs and alcohol and gangsterism indicates the extent of social decay that needs a collective approach to resolve.
The cluster is currently implementing the Community Policing Strategy and Communities in Blue Policing Concept, which is aimed at reaffirming the government’s commitment to building safer communities through community policing partnerships; and to further operationalise the concept of community policing with a view of stimulating active citizenry and citizen participation in the fight against crime.
Crime and violence in schools is on an alarming rise and is a growing phenomenon that needs to be handled and dealt with decisively through our school safety plan with long term solutions. The parental role is of the outmost importance, parents need to play their role, schools are supposed to be a safe environment for learners and not a danger zone.
We urge communities to partner with us in ensuring that through community activism we hold SAPS management accountable for their safety.
Consequence management
Consequence Management through effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation mechanism is crucial for any government department or State Entity in the interest of service delivery. The department must be able to measure and evaluate itself in terms of achievement of fundamental objectives and meeting its Constitutional obligations.
Over the years SAPS unfortunately has been lacking in this regard thus resulting in condonation of poor performance and lack of discipline. In this regard to demonstrate seriousness of this matter, the Division responsible for SAPS Inspectorate will be capacitated during the next few months, to perform inspections at all our operational centres and investigate any form policy transgressions and or lack thereof, community complaints, undetected cases, compliance with SAPS discipline and operational standards and make findings and recommendations to the Minister and National Commissioner.
The Division will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluation functions. Any transgression(s), poor performance, lack of discipline in the SAPS will be a thing of the past, in this regard the National Commissioner will be signing a performance agreement with the Minister with clear objectives and deliverables and consequence management sanctions if targets are not met or achieved and similarly the Provincial Commissioner's will also sign theirs with the National Commissioner.
Chairperson, during this administration we will ensure that only deserving members occupy critical management positions. As the Minister responsible for this portfolio and with the powers vested upon me as the executive authority through SAPS Regulations, I will ensure that the process to redeploy or release senior managers for poor or good performance is undertaken effectively without abuse of power.
Therefore honourable members, No Station Commander, No District Commander, No Provincial Commissioner, No Divisional Commissioner, No Deputy National Commissioner and No National Commissioner will continue to occupy a position when he or she is grossly underperforming, failing organization and undermining constitutional obligations.
To this end, we call upon IPID to finalize pending cases against members, where cases have been concluded and recommendations made either to the SAPS management or NPA or both; we direct that these cases must be promptly finalized. All outstanding matters especially the disciplinary involving senior managers on suspension must be finalized within the next period of 60 days from now onwards.
Ministerial advisory council
Chairperson, crime dynamics are ever changing however the institutional knowledge on policing is forever a national treasure. It is on that score that the ministry will establish a Ministerial Advisory Council, which will include former SAPS Generals and Subject Experts. The strategy formulation at this level will also contribute immensely to the Curriculum enhancements at SAPS Colleges.
Drug and substance abuse
We will be intensifying our campaigns by working together with our sister departments and relevant stakeholders in fight against drug and substance abuse. Which continues to be a problem in our society, the increase in illicit drug use and alcohol consumption, are some of the main contributors to the perpetration of violent crime. Chairperson we will continue to focus on three levels of the drug value chain, which are:
- International and domestic organised crime drug syndicates (addressing highflyers).
- Drug manufacturers (domestic drug laboratories).
- Drug cultivation (cultivation of cannabis and targeting hydroponic dagga laboratories)
We will also work on tightening legislation around drug and substance abuse. As SAPS is part of the organ of the State it is our responsibility to combat substance abuse through the development and coordination of interventions.
Furthermore to curb the substance abuse epidemic, focus will be placed on the Drug Master Plan, initiated by the Department of Social Development, coupled with enforcement of the liquor legislation.
Specialized policing
Specialized crimes require specialized kind of policing approach, in the following areas specialized reaction teams have been deployed i.e. Westbury, Mamelodi, Blybank and the launch of Operation Thunder in the communities of the Western Cape aimed at declaring war against crime and stamping the authority of the state. As part of the broader strategy in fighting crime and enhancing policing and building community relations, more of the specialized policing will be introduced in volatile areas. Focused and intelligence driven policing is the future of policing in South Africa.
Political killings
Establishment of the task team addressing political killings was implemented for swift intervention into the spate of political killings in the province of KwaZulu - Natal. The task team operates under the guidance of the Inter-Ministerial Committee which was appointed by His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa in an effort to create a safe and secure environment as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
To date the political killing task team has 170 total number of allocated cases, 174 suspects have been arrested, 44 suspects are still in custody, 52 suspects are on bail and 29 convictions have been secured.
The dedicated political killing task team continues to work on prosecutorial guided investigations, of all politically related murders in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal in accordance with the rule of law. The progress made to date by the task team is highly recommendable and evident to the commitment to serve with integrity without fear or favour and prejudice.
Civilian secretariat for police services
The process of rationalization and alignment of laws that possibly hinders service delivery and effective policing must be executed by the Civilian Secretariat, SAPS and other Entities under the Ministry of Police. This process must commence with immediate effect, and terms of reference and a draft framework must be developed in this regard by no later than September 2019.
Chairperson, we need to revisit our approach in dealing with crime and violence. Last year in September, we hosted a National Summit on Crime and Violence Prevention, which sought to extend consultation on an implementation framework for the 2016 White Paper on Safety and Security. This White Paper emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to safety, crime and violence prevention, and recognizes the need for joint interventions in addressing socioeconomic factors such as poverty, inequality, unemployment, social welfare, health, and education. More importantly, the White Paper proposes that safety extends far beyond the scope of the police, and assigns responsibility to the whole of government and whole of society.
To emphasise the joint, cross cutting nature of the White Paper, Cabinet approved its location at the Presidency, in the form of the ‘Centre for Crime and Violence Prevention”. What this means is that crime and violence prevention will be an apex priority across government, and all tiers of government will be coordinated and institutionalised, by creating ownership and integrating interventions into strategic planning processes.
Last year, we highlighted the rationalisation and upgrading of 30 police stations to Major General Stations. This process has commenced in Gauteng and will continue in the current financial year. While additional resources will be allocated to these stations, the management of these resources is paramount, and we will be closely monitoring the usage of the resources.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)
Honourable members, the continuous report of alleged police corruption is receiving attention; hence we are enhancing the capacity of IPID in this regard. The process of the appointment of the IPID head is currently underway and will be finalized by September 2019. This will provide IPID the necessary stability and proper management and administration of its affairs.
Chairperson, IPID plays a critical role in ensuring that professional ethics are maintained within the policing environment and ensuring that we have a police service that is free from corruption and adheres to a high level of professionalism and ethics. The structural and operational independence of IPID will always be protected and safeguarded by the Ministry to allow IPID to discharge its responsibilities without fear, favour and prejudice. To this end IPID has referred 1989 cases to NPA for prosecution.
Furthermore, I request the Portfolio Committee of Police to expedite the Amendment of the IPID act so that defects and gaps as identified by the Constitutional Courts are cured and rectified.
Underfunding - IPID baseline budget over the years has not been adjusted to fully accommodate annual inflation growth, contractual obligations, workload and to allow for full implementation of IPID Act. Underfunding of IPIDs operation affects the following key deliverables:
Analysis of IPID budget growth
- Budget allocations increased from R234.7 million in the financial year 2014/15 to R315.1 million in 2018/19 at a growth rate of 34%, an increase as a result of SAPS additional funding.
- Over the 2019 medium term, expenditure is expected to grow from R336.7 million in 2019/20 to R381.6 million in 2021/22 at an average growth rate of 13% mainly to accommodate operating costs (Contractual obligations) without capacity increase.
- The growth on IPID budget does not cover any expansion of functions on the IPID Act, it only accommodates the:
- Contractual obligations annual escalation fees (G&S) ranges from 5% - 10% per annum.
- regulated annual wage increment (COE) up to 7%
Private security industry regulation authority (PSiRA)
PSiRA continues to strive to be an excellent regulator of the private security industry and will ensure that all the people of South Africa not only feel safe but are safe, through intensifying compliance by introducing the following:
We have published draft regulations on the firearms in the private security industry for comments, and we intend to publish regulations on the use of security equipment to control abuse of certain Military related equipment in civilian spaces. As we embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution equipment’s, we also need to prepare for the regulation of certain high-tech equipment such as drones, which may be abused by the private security industry.
We also call on PSiRA to introduce training on the code of conduct as part of addressing the apparent lack of knowledge on human rights by the industry. It has recently become evident that it is easier to register than to deregister errant security companies. PSiRA should therefore work to review policy and legislation to address such gaps.
The current funding model of PSiRA is becoming obsolete and therefore the process to implement the Private Security Levies Act has to be fast tracked to ensure that the regulation of the industry is not compromised.
In conclusion, honourable chairperson the policing priorities presented in this budget vote and the improved policing roadmap in this 6th administration will indeed deliver on the policy directives as outlined by his excellency the President, moreover the direction we are taking to ensure safer communities will definitely contribute significantly towards creating the South Africa that we want and contributing positively towards the economic growth of the country
Western Cape Lockdown
Employment and the use of The Defence Force with the SAPS in terms of Sec 201 of the constitution read with Sec 18, 19 To 20 of the Defence Act
Over a number of years there has been a high number of brutal murders in the province of the Western Cape, most specifically in the Metropole. On the 9th of July 2019 the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster Director Generals and Cabinet Cluster met and resolved that the situation of Western Cape Metropole should be turned around. The Cluster resolved to request the President to employ the South African National Defence Force in support of the South African Police Service in terms of section 201 of the Constitution read with Sec 18, 19 to 20 of the Defence act.
During the 2018/2019 financial year murders in Western Cape Province have increased with 6.3% from 3729 to 3963 (234 counts). The top ten contributing murder stations in the province are Nyanga, Delft, Khayelitsha, Philippi East, Harare, Gugulethu, Mfuleni, Kraaifontein, Mitchells Plain and Bishop Lavis. Combined, the ten stations contributed to 47% of murders in the province.
Attempted murders have increased with 3.9% from 3698 to 3844 (146 counts). The top ten contributing attempted murder stations in the province are Bishop Lavis, Mitchells Plain, Delft, Elsies River, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Philippi, Kraaifontein and Manenberg. Combined, the ten stations contributed to 42% of attempted murders in the province.
Philippi East has featured as the top contributing station for murder from 1 to 7 July 2019, increasing from 1 to 13. In one incident on Friday, 5 July 2019, six (6) females were fatally wounded in Marcus Garvey. On Saturday, 6 July 2019, further two shootings occurred where five (5) victims were fatally wounded and one injured.
It is on the basis of the above situation that the Minister of Defence and Minister of Police requested the President to authorise the employment of the SANDF in terms of Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution read with section 18, 19 and 20 of the Defence Act to assist the SAPS in the prevention and combatting of crime and maintenance, preservation of law and order within the Republic South Africa.
Section 201(2) (a) of the Constitution provides that only the President, as Head of the National Executive, may authorise the employment of the Defence Force in cooperation with the Police Service.
Deployment of the Defence Force members jointly with SAPS will be inter-alia in line with the areas identified in paragraph 2 above and will focus on the following for a period of not less than three months;
- Troops for cordon and search, strong points in hot spots, observation, foot and vehicle patrols
- Air support for trooping and identification of substance manufacturing labs
- Any other operations that may be determined from time to time
The President has since given the approval of the employment of the SANDF as requested by both Ministers. In the nearest future the JCPS cluster Ministers will announce on the roll out of the high level action plan. In this regard we vouch that the Western Cape will never be same.
Chairperson, I now present to you the South African Police Service budget vote 23 for this financial year to the amount of R97.5 billion and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate vote 20 to the amount of R336.7 million.
Last but not least, I would like to thank the Deputy Minister of Police Mr Cassel Mathale, The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Kehla Sitole and his management team, The Secretary of police, Mr Alvin Rapea and his management team all Heads of Entities and their teams, the Ministry of Police and lastly my beautiful wife Mrs Thembeka Cele for her unwavering support.
I thank you.
