Minister Bheki Cele: Police, IPID and Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Dept Budget Vote 2020/21

Budget Vote 28, 24 & 21 Presentation: Department Of Police, IPID and the Department of the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service delivered by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele (Mp)

Honourable Chairperson;
Honourable Ministers;
Honourable Deputy Ministers;
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police; Ms Tina Joemat - Peterson and members of the Portfolio Committee;
Honourable MECs;
Members of Parliament;
Heads of entities;
The leadership of organized labour;
Ministry of Police;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Sanibonani, Dumelang, Molweni, Ndi masiari, Avuxeni, Goeie Middag, Good afternoon

Allow me to convey safety and security greetings to all honourable members and to fellow South Africans who are connecting through different virtual platforms. Indeed the 4th industrial revolution collided with many of us – the thought of presenting the budget vote virtually in 2020, never crossed my mind but this is now the reality that we must embrace as we continue to fulfill our fundamental mandate as directed by Section 205 of the constitution.

Honourable members, political intellectual, Frantz Fanon in his book, The Wretched of the Earth argue that, I quote “Each Generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it, in relative opacity. Unquote. The year 2020 has given our generation at all levels an intricate mission to discover and I would like to call upon all law enforcement officers in this country, all leaders in different fraternities, all strategic partners and most importantly our communities to hold hands and pledge to fulfill this mission and never betray it.

It is on that score that I dedicate this Budget Vote again to the fight against Gender Based Violence, on the same note I also want to dedicate this budget vote to our men and women in blue who are deployed in the frontline service during this deadly pandemic.  This is why the second theme of this budget vote is focused on ‘Policing in the midst of COVID 19 Pandemic and Beyond’.  

Honourable members, we find ourselves in a quagmire wherein ‘crisis policing’ against an invisible enemy implies the constant shifting of goalposts between law enforcement and respect for civil liberties. It is in this context that our policing discipline becomes more critical in ensuring that our fight against COVID-19 is both constitutionally compliant and consistent with the public good.

This reaffirms my concurrence with the writer, Publilius Syrus when he says ‘Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm." Unquote. The seas these days are anything but calm—in some places the waters are downright angry—but those police leaders who hold the helm must keep the ship righted, its crew safe and well cared for, and working together to move the vessel steadily on in the desired direction. The seas will calm once again, but for now the sailing is going to be difficult.

SAPS budget 2020

Chairperson, allow me to table the SAPS budget breakdown per programme to make visible the initial budget allocation and the adjusted budget allocation thereof:

	Initial Budget	Adjusted Budget
Programme 1 Administration	20 912 779	20 094 579
Programme 2 Visible policing	52 327 272	57 048 272
Programme 3 Detective Services	20 624 159	20 491 359
Programme 4 Crime Intelligence	4 403 531	4 403 531
Programme 5 Protection and Security Services	3 443 292	3 373 292
Total	101 711 033	105 411 033

Policing and COVID 19 pandemic

Honourable members,

The COVID 19 era has drastically redefined traditional policing - social distancing is the new normal; effecting an arrest and a deployment at a Community Service Centre suddenly demands a different standard operating procedure. All men and women in blue in the Republic of South Africa collided with the 360 turn of events and had to adjust whilst focussed on serving and protecting the nation.

• When the whole world pressed the RESET button; policing continued.
• When world economies collapsed; policing continued.
• When businesses closed down; policing continued.
• When everyone was locked down in their homes; policing continued.
• When news of police officers who were arrested for wrongdoing made headlines, policing continued.
• When statistics of the COVID-19 infections skyrocketed to alarming figures; policing continued.
• When the invisible enemy attacked everyone including police officers armed with protection gears of bullet proofs and machine guns, policing continues.
• When 10 077 of police officers are infected and or affected, policing continues.
• When over 95 police officers succumbed and departed due to COVID 19, policing continues.
• When a funeral of a police officer no longer receives a dignified official send-off, policing continues while the oath of office is held in high esteem.

If this is indeed the mission of this generation of police officers that Frantz Fanon narrated; then, it is the mission we are prepared to fulfill and never betray. One day the seas will calm and the police flag will fly high in the name of the dignified blue.

Chairperson, the police management has worked tirelessly in ensuring that the morale and wellbeing of our members is prioritized during this period and beyond. Hence a decision to elevate access to health and wellness of our members who are infected and affected together with their families. To this end an estimated amount of R3, 7 billion in addition to an amount of R1.1 billion reprioritised from the baseline has been allocated to respond to COVID 19 and related mandates; whilst prioritizing the following:

• Polmed has organized private facilities to serve as an Isolation site for SAPS members and their dependents who have been confirmed positive with Covid-19, have symptoms, are not hospitalized and their current home environment is not conducive for self- isolation. The facilities are available immediately in all 9 provinces and services are offered by healthcare providers who are contracted to Polmed.
• Training colleges are in the process of being converted to quarantine sites, namely (Bishop Lavis College(WC);Graaf Reinet College (EC); Ulundi College (KZN); Chatsworth College (KZN) and Pretoria West College(GP)
• Identified academies are in the process of being operationalised by Polmed in order to accommodate members of the security cluster who test positive for Covid19
• Bishop Lavis college was accredited by Department of Health as quarantine and isolation site, the college will be available to receive members by the 01 August 2020.
• Compulsory counselling sessions to all affected members in police stations and offices
• Adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and any shortages in this regard are being addressed with the urgency it deserves.
• Continuous Virtual training and information sessions for police officers on COVID-19 and policing
• Management support and frequent visits to affected police stations by senior management
• Swift processing of all documentation for the benefit of families of our departed members.

Honourable members, all of the above interventions and more, are necessary for effective and efficient policing under such challenging circumstances. The leadership must always strike a balance. As police officers serve and protect, their working conditions must be equally conducive and favourable.

Police officers remain the number one asset of the organization, without them there is no policing or organization. Again we must all be reminded that:

• When the call of duty throws them in the deep end; 
• When crime fighting pushes them against the storm; 
• When they collide with the hail of bullets from armed and dangerous criminals.

The oath of office will be their defence. The core mandate of fighting crime must continue as we work towards achieving the set target of halving violent crimes in the next decade. Therefore, enforcement operation will be intensified during this period of the National State of Disaster including:

• Conducting of static roadblocks on all national routes & major routes in order to monitor, control & ensure adherence to the regulations.
• Conducting of vehicle check points, on provincial routes, regional routes, rail routes, main streets in order to monitor, control & ensure adherence to the regulations
• Conducting of high visibility patrols to monitor, control & ensure adherence to the regulations.
• Designated investigation capacity & case management
• Implementation of objects of policing, in accordance with S 205(3) of the constitution of the Republic of SA.

Meanwhile, the Civilian Secretariat for police service (CSPS) in enhancing their oversight role have partnered with the SAPS and have thus embarked on a joint COVID19 public education and awareness campaign to facilitate the involvement of community safety structures such as Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and Community Safety Forums (CSFs) in promoting compliance with lockdown regulations and supplementing overall policing efforts in containing the virus.

Gender Based Violence

Malunga ahloniphekile ephalamende akeniwuhlabe niwulawule. Sonke asisho ngazwi linye sithi OHLUKUMEZA ABESIFAZANE NEZINGANE UHLUKUMEZA ISIZWE UQOBO! Impela lezigila mkhuba ezidlwengula siphinde zibulale abesifazane nezingane BAZOHLANGANA NENYOKA IPHUZA UMHLUZI.

Far too often, women are being murdered by those they love and trust. Their children are not spared, nor are their unborn children. Their lives are ended in the most brutal way. Chairperson,  I repeat, there are far too many women killed in South Africa, many by people known to them. Some of the names of these women are contained in the “Fallen Angels” list compiled by Ms Cindy September. The activist took it upon herself to put together the list from testimonies of family members who tragicaly lost their loved ones. The ‘fallen Angels’ list contains over 700 names and the number keeps growing daily, this includes the recent four women from Umzumbe who were allegedly victims of sugarcane serial killings. (The list is available for distribution)

Chairperson, for the past two years I’ve been dedicating the budget vote to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Crimes against women and children; once again this year’s budget vote is dedicated to GBV. The accelerating scourge of Gender Based Violence is affecting everyone both young and old. We should all agree that this is a societal challenge that needs all of us to deal with it decisively. It cannot be police alone, I repeat Gender Based Violence is EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY, hence I also call on gender activists to work with existing structures to solidify the fight on crimes against women and children.

Government, under the leadership of his Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa has elevated GBV and placed it as a priority matter in this administration. Hence an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Hon Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has been tasked with the implementation plan of the integrated approach of government in addressing the scourge. In responding to GBV the SAPS has prioritized the resourcing of the Family violence, Child protection and Sexual offence (FCS) units and other related mandates.

During the 2019/20 financial year operational expenditure, that includes goods and services, vehicle procurements as well as other equipment such as cellular phones, to the amount of R184 million was incurred on FCS units. In addition to the afore-mentioned, SAPS embarked on awareness campaigns for vulnerable groups and procured various evidence collection kits of which some are directly linked to GBV. In addition, during 2019/20 financial year evidence collection kits to the value of R120 million were centrally procured and are distributed to station level.

During the 2020/21 financial year, the same emphasis will be placed on FCS units and GBV, with an additional R15 million to be prioritized towards the direct resourcing of these units in terms of goods and services, vehicle procurements as well as other equipment. FCS units continues to secure harsh sentences and multiple life imprisonments for GBV related cases. Chairperson allow me to share this heart-warming story that displays dedication and hard work from a specialist detective from Detective Services Serial and Electronic Investigations (SECI) unit.

After a two-week long battle in ICU, fighting for his life after his positive diagnosis of the COVID-19 virus. He recovered and reported back to his post where he secured 15 life sentences and 30 years imprisonment for a 66-year-old serial rapist.

As the lead investigator, Detective Ernest Villet didn’t let his ill health deter him from tracking cases at various police stations, opened against the serial rapist, Herman Harker. He then compiled profiles on the different crimes he had committed in six towns, between October 2017 to June 2018 and from then put together a water tight case that left the courts with no choice but to put Herman Harker behind bars, for life.

There has been significant progress in the capacitating of FCS units across the country and training of more females to work in the units, which are the first point of call for many women who are victims of domestic violence, however this does not imply that GBV is a gender issue; we have dedicated men who are detectives in this environment and who are passionate and highly professional in executing their duties – the unit itself is headed by a male, Major General Linda.

To date 312 of the 4971 trainees’ constables who completed their specialized training were identified for placement at the 185 FCS units across the country. Of the current investigation capacity within FCS, 148 have been trained on the FCS Learning Programme.

To this end, the CSPS regularly monitors and evaluates SAPS implementation of GBV related policies and legislation. Currently the department is monitoring implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and of the Sexual Offences Act by the police. The aim is to assist the SAPS to improve its response mechanisms to reported incidents of GBV. 

In addition the department supports initiatives to improve access to support services for survivors through a victim centric criminal justice services. As part of the women’s month activities, the department together with provincial departments will embark on a virtual media campaign to educate communities on SAPS response to reported GBV cases. The aim is to empower communities on understanding the reporting process, assistance provided by the various entities within the criminal justice system and what to do if they are not satisfied with the response provided by the police. The CSPS is currently planning to roll out a school based GBV programme which is aimed at empowering learners as GBV ambassadors. This programme will be first implemented in Plessislaer in the KZN province.

The National Community Police Consultative Forum will participate in a pilot project aimed at removing barriers to the reporting of gender based violence and assist to mobilise communities for early interventions to address Gender Based Violence. SAPS is in the process of signing a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Social Development to avail enough safe houses for victims of crime and to avail social workers as an additional resource in this regard.

Lastly on this subject honourable members, the tide must change on how we respond to GBV matters. The victims of GBV should not be the ones forced to flee their homes to seek for places of safety. Chairperson, it is time we turn things around and force abusers to be the ones who are cast out of their homes and not the victims. On this one NGEMPELA ZIZOJIKA IZINTO! 

Progress on 2019 pronouncements

Honourable members, allow me to give a summary of achievements in relation to pronouncements made in the previous year’s budget vote.

• Promotion of Members - This year marks the third cycle since the pronouncement to address the backlog of promotions of 69 219 SAPS members. In the past 2 years a total of 48 067 members have been promoted through grade progression with a total budget of R1, 330 billion. A total of 10 614 members will be grade progressed during 2020/21 with a budget of R172, 9 million. The remainder of 8480 members will be promoted through grade progression during 2021/22 financial year with the budget of R137, 3 million. Furthermore on Post - Promotions a total of 6 000 posts are included in the 2020/2021 financial year with an allocated budget of R129 million. Carry through to next financial year is R379 million.
   

Western Cape Lockdown - Honourable Chairperson, the key announcement of last year’s budget vote was of Operation Lockdown. The joint operation between police and SANDF yielded positive results in the identified top ten contributing murder stations. To date life is no longer the same in NYANGA, DELFT, KHAYELITSHA, PHILLIPI EAST, HARARE, GUGULETHU, MFULENI, KRAAIFONTEIN, MITCHELLS PLAIN and BISHOP LAVIS.

The festive season statistics were also evident of this point. The rigorous and active dedicated support of the national leadership weekly meetings; including additional resource of Operation Thunder and the Anti- Gang Unit, indeed contributed towards crime fighting in general; but in particular the analytical understanding of the dynamics of crime and its contributing factors in the province.

• Establishment of the Detective Academy - this particular responsibility has been delegated to Deputy Minister of Police, Hon Cassel Mathale who has led the international benchmarking team to the FBI Academy in the United States of America and similar bodies in China and the United Kingdom. He will elaborate more on this project later in his address.

• Firearm Amnesty - The proliferation of illegal firearms remains a major contributor to crime levels in the country. The 2019 Firearms amnesty commenced on the 1st of December 2019 and was meant to run until the end of May 2020. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak; the amnesty period was severely affected and has disturbed the SAPS ability to fully and effectively reduce the amount of illegally possessed firearms in circulation. During this period, 44 033 firearms and 246 060 rounds of ammunition were surrendered. Over 19 thousand new applications of expired licences were received. The SAPS is currently in the process of approaching parliament to consider a new Firearm Amnesty period.

• Training of New Recruits - As announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address. The recruitment process for 7 000 police trainee posts was at an advanced stage when the process was suspended due to the COVID-19 restrictions of social distancing. The following proposals are currently being considered for the filling of the 7000 entry level posts:

Intake 1:  3 000 active serving Reservists in October 2020.

Intake 2: 4 000 external applicants from the community at large who applied during September/October 2020 for positions as Police Trainees to commence basic training in January 2021.

In this regard, we have also have called on trained and skilled police officers, who left the Service honourably on the ranks of Constable, Sergeant and Warrant Officer, to re-enlist. These officers will be posted where there is currently a shortage including specialized units such as FCS and Public Order Police units as well as newly established units such as Taxi Violence Unit, Cold Case Investigation and Murder & Robbery Unit.

• Police visibility - The branding of SAPS vehicles including the fitment of blue lights is receiving priority within SAPS Supply Chain Management.  Foot patrols by members of specialized units are deployed in strategic areas and highway patrols is equally effective and yielding commendable results. The interprovincial roadblocks as a result of lockdown are equally contributing to police visibility.

• Infrastructure improvement - last year we announced that SAPS is bringing services closer to the people and therefore we are doing away with building “University” Police stations and build small to medium sized police stations accessible to our people.

The assessment of the 16 of the projects was finalized and recommendations were approved by the National Commissioner and myself. The appointment of consultants is underway to proceed with planning and design of those found to be in line with new criteria.

• Investment in technology - A task team has been established to look into coordinated development of SAPS integrated strategy and response plan to deal with the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)

This team is looking at how we can boost our capabilities through technology and assess SAPS’s readiness to respond to (4IR) policing demands.

• Anti –Gang Unit (AGU) – Gang stricken communities have hailed the establishment of Anti-Gang Units as a positive policing intervention in addressing the challenge of drug abuse and crime in their neighborhoods. The work study process of establishing Anti- Gang Unit as a national unit is at an advanced stage. To this end we have active AGU in Western and Eastern Cape, Gauteng and the Free State.
• Specialized policing – Policing interventions in Westbury, Carltonville, Mamelodi, Eldorado Park, Yoeville and other areas has made a positive impact in the reduction of violent crimes. While we acknowledge that in some areas, there has been some setbacks on progress made; however intervention measures are in place to address the resurfacing of violent crimes.

Technical Response Teams (TRT), the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and vehicle patrols in targeted areas, were deployed over the festive season and beyond focusing on high crime areas in all provinces. Current and future deployment of specialized units’ members is informed by identified crime threats and patterns.

• Crime Intelligence - Crime Intelligence is in its second year of implementing the Crime Intelligence Corporate Renewal Strategy, which aims to capacitate the division to realize its “intelligence led policing” plan. This plan is aimed at establishing intelligence capacity at police stations. History has taught us that it is only when this division is well resourced that it will attract as well as develop and retain skilled members and effectively play its key role in the investigation and prevention of crime.  I’m pleased to announce that to date, 440 vacant posts have been filled within Crime Intelligence.

• 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. Last year I announced that SAPS budget will support local business and boost local economy. The Car wash model and specification for local car wash operations was completed in June and is currently under consideration and is awaiting budget approval of approximately 173, 568 million. Special conditions for vehicle maintenance contracts to be delegated to local youth owned and women owned businesses.

• Ministerial Advisory Council - The establishment of the Ministerial Advisory Council is at an advance stage. The selection of representation is an inclusive process. The council will serve as additional advisory capacity to the Ministry in matters of policing and provide relevant research capacity. Consultations in this regard have commenced.

Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)

Honourable members, in responding to the call by the President to half violent crimes in the next decade, DPCI continues to make significant progress in this regard. During 2019 the National Priority Violent Crimes (NPVC) formed an integral part of operation GANOLIMP to normalise and stabilise cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies in the most affected Provinces of Gauteng, North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. During February 2020, the CIT Stabilisation Operation was re-launched to curb the spike in CIT robberies.

The NPVC is mandated to investigate Police murders. During this financial year 36 cases of police killings/murders were received by the NPVC for investigation.  A total of fifty-nine (59) arrests were made in twenty-four (24) of these cases which translates into a detection rate of 67%.  A further eight (8) arrests were made on six (6) cases which emanate from previous financial years, bringing the total arrests for the year to sixty-seven (67).  The NPVC also obtained twenty (20) convictions on five (5) cases for Police murders with combined sentences of eight life sentences and seven hundred and forty-four (744) years imprisonment.

South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), within the DPCI, during the period 2019-2020 achieved the following operational successes in addressing the illicit drug supply chain:

• Total arrests – 270 persons (all SANEB related cases)
• Total Convictions - 83
• Estimated value of drugs seized – R1 200 122 974-00(Rounded off as R1.2billion)

DPCI, together with Crime Intelligence (CI) are taking this fight beyond our boarders. Together, they have developed a comprehensive approach to address the full spectrum of the drug supply chain ranging from the illicit cultivation, production, trafficking, drug couriers, and drug outlets and emerging threats through the National Drug Master Plan. To address the cross border drug trafficking networks, the DPCI and CI are actively participating in Trilateral Planning Cell between South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania to counter heroin trafficking from Afghanistan entering our region through the Indian Ocean.

In his address to the nation last night, the President was vocal about the increasing levels of corruption and theft of public funds. Chairperson, the DPCI continues to dismantle corruption networks in the public and private sector. The relentless efforts by the National Clean Audit Task Team of the DPCI, has led to the arrests of suspects in relation to the R53 million corruption, fraud and money laundering investigation from the City of Tshwane Municipality. The suspects are accused of stealing R53 million from the municipality's bank account which was earmarked for the National Fund for Municipality Workers.

There has been 21 reported cases and 52 suspects arrested in various corruption cases, including 9 suspects linked to the VBS matter. Five suspects allegedly implicated in the UIF covid-19 relief fund, food parcels in Northern Cape. The Hawks have recently swooped on suspects include bank employees who defrauded Sasol of over 200 million rand.

Capacitating DPCI remains a priority Chairperson, critical appointments including that of the Deputy National Head and provincial heads are currently before cabinet for consideration. To date a total of 143 posts were filled on the 1st of October 2019. Ten senior management posts have been advertised, including posts for Forensic Accounting Investigations. A total of 590 DPCI members were trained in various skills within the environment for the financial year, this includes management, operational, functional and administrative training.

TOP 30 STATIONS

SAPS Top management are deployed to the country’s TOP 30 stations over weekends for inspection of operations. Their findings are reported to National Coordination for analysis to assist in planning for future operations and provide immediate response were required. The current interventions are aimed at addressing contact crime and trio crimes. Honourable members I must reiterate that consequence management will be applied severely in this regard.

We cannot have stations that will be permanently in the TOP 30 if we are indeed serious about halving violent crimes in the next decade. Both the station commissioner and the station guardian will be equally responsible in this regard. The introduction of Operation Vala in KwaZulu – Natal is aimed at targeting Top 30 Stations. The similar approach will be rolled out in provinces that are contributing as high crime stations. Operation O kae molau in Gauteng is highly active but equally the province is ruthlessly stubborn. The support from the executive in the province led by Premier David Makhura is highly commendable and we wish to urge other provinces to implement this good practice.

Rural safety and farm killings

Honourable members, we remain concerned about the attacks on the country’s rural communities. We believe a holistic approach to attacks on farms will go a long way in enhancing rural safety.

The work of the reviewed National Rural Safety Strategy (NRSS) is operationalised and provides for Rural Safety Priority Committees to function at national, provincial, district and station levels.  This strategy also empowers all role players in the rural and farming community, departmental and civil society, to get involved in the committees. These committees include the SANDF, Organised Agriculture, Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Traditional Affairs working alongside the SAPS.

The committees will meet on a regular basis to monitor incidents of violent crime and establish trends and new developments and plan interventions. The reviewed strategy also aims to redirect effective capacity both human and physical capabilities to where they are needed most in rural areas. The reviewed National Rural Safety Strategy which was launched in October 2019 and implemented on the 1st of April 2020 will end on 31 March 2025.

Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS)

The JCPS Cluster has made progress in coordinating integrated programmes within the cluster and multidisciplinary operations. JCPS  has established multidisciplinary task teams, consisting of various SAPS Units and the NPA. These Teams are geographically located, across the country, with a more prominent presence in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The purpose of these teams is to respond immediately to reported threats of criminal groupings that extort money from construction sites, thereby disrupting the local economy. These teams will mature into specialised units, in the next financial year, to ensure an established capability to focus on the combating and investigation of robberies that are committed, disguised as “protection fees”.

JCPS supports  the migration of the Integrated Justice System programme (IJS) to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) to centralise the management and coordination of the programme.Technology Management Services (TMS) submitted project plans to the DoJ&CD, which were then approved by National Treasury, amounting to R193 million. Anticipated non-realisation of projects resulted in the amount being reduced to R60 million. TMS is acquiring services in terms of the approved projects and expenditure is claimed back from DoJ&CD, by means of an interdepartmental claim process. R45, 3 million has been claimed back which is relevant to the 2019/2020 financial year projects.

Community participation to fight crime

Honourable members, community participation in the fight against crime is of paramount importance hence community outreach programmes are always supported and funded in this regard. The SAPS annual performance plan 2020/2021 prioritises the implementation of the Communities in Blue concept in all nine provinces, the implementation of the traditional policing concept in three provinces over the medium term and the safer city framework in ten pilot cities.

Political killings

Honourable members, political killings remain a stubborn phenomenon. High level resources will be enhanced to support ongoing and highly sensitive investigations. The killing of political opponents and rivals in Kwa-Zulu- Natal in recent months has resurfaced – however the task team is making serious inroads in a number of cases through prosecutorial guided investigations of all politically related murders in the province. To date, the Task Team has arrested 249 people charged with murder, attempted murder and intimidation. 35 people have been sentenced under their investigations and 45 dockets are in court and ready for trail. Similar interventions have been rolled out in Mpumalanga and Limpopo to stabilize the situation in those provinces to bring those responsible for serious crimes to book.

The role of public entities in support of policing 

Chairperson and honourable members, in this regard I will give a highlight of the support role of entities that are reporting to the Ministry of police. The Deputy Minister of Police, Hon Cassel Mathale as part of his delegated functions will expand on the work of the entities.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) - continues to play a significant and meaningful role in the fight against any form of criminal conduct within the Police service. However, IPID continues to experience budget pressures caused mainly by increase in case intake. Out of the total budget of R355 667 million which is spread amongst key programmes; it is worth noting that a total amount R4, 8 Million has been redirected to fund measures aimed at implementation of health protocols in all IPID Offices in addressing COVID 19 outbreak.

Honourable members, the process of the appointment of the IPID Executive Director is at an advanced stage, to date I have submitted the nomination of Ms. Jennifer Dikeledi Ntlaseng, as the Executive Director of IPID to the portfolio committee and to parliament for consideration and further processing. The outcome in this regard will be communicated in due course.

The Civilian Secretariat of Police (CSPS) - continues to provide an effective and efficient oversight role over the police service.  The CSPS had an initial allocation of R 156 312 million for the 2020/21 financial year, however, this was subsequently revised to R 144 369 million after the tabling of the special adjustment budget by the Minister of Finance.

The CSPS is currently at an advanced stage of the finalisation of key legislation and regulations that will assist in facilitating a conducive environment for national stability and economic recovery. These include the finalisation of the SAPS Act Amendment Bill; Firearms Control Amendment Bill; Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Bill; and Regulations for the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act.

The Private Security Industry Regulating Authority (PSIRA) - continues to strengthen legislation aimed at regulating the security industry key to this is the recently published draft regulations on the firearms in the private security industry for comments. PSIRA intends to publish the regulations on the use of security equipment to control the abuse of certain Military related equipment in civilian spaces. Chairperson, the allow me to give an update on the appointment of PSIRA councillors (board members). The appointment process has been submitted to cabinet for consideration; in this regard we would like to thank the previous board for executing their duties with excellence.

Firearms Appeals Board – The Appeals Board has finalized 1589 appeals from time of their appointment on 1 February 2020 to date. There is currently no backlog in the determination of appeals. A total number of 670 appeals are in process due to awaiting additional information. The Appeals Board has held engagements with Central Firearms Registry to advice on systemic issues that lead to appeals. The Appeals Board has also participated in the preparation and presentation of the Firearms Amendment Bill to the JCPS DGs.

The National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board (DNA Board) - We wish welcome the new DNA Board under the leadership of Judge Lindiwe Nkosi-Thomas SC. Progress thus far indicates that through detailed analysis of the data and engagement with the South African Police Service (SAPS) the obstacles to performance were isolated an appropriate solutions proposed. This culminated in the development of amended regulations which were signed off by the Minister of Police in January 2020, and published in the Government Gazette. This is a significant win as it is now required of every province to establish dedicated Forensic Investigative Units with ‘ring-fenced’ resources. This will greatly enhance their capacity and ability in tracking down serial offenders, among others; whilst contributing significantly to GBV related matters.

We wish to thank the outgoing board under the leadership of Judge Yvonne Mokgoro for the sterling delivery of service and for the support given to the Ministry of Police during their term of office.

DPCI Judge - Moreover, we wish to acknowledge the positive contribution from the Office of the DPCI Judge and all matters that have been addressed and finalized with diligence thus far.

Chairperson and honourable members, allow me to conclude this budget vote by reflecting on a very important subject of gender representation and the appointment of women in positions of power as heads of institutions and in senior management positions. To date in this portfolio we have made new appointments including those that are still under consideration, the recommendation thereof are female candidates.

The Chairperson of the newly appointed Firearms Appeals Board is Adv Lungelo Shandu; the Chairperson of the DNA Board is Adv Lindiwe Nkosi-Thomas SC. To date we have recommended a female candidate for the Executive Director of IPID and we have recommended a female candidate for the Chairperson of the PSIRA Board.    

Once again, we would like to call upon communities and all our strategic partners to support the police in the fight against crime moreover during this pandemic. The current state of policing needs no political gymnastics but it requires cooperation and working together for a common goal.

Chairperson, I now present to you the South African Police Service Budget Vote 28 for this financial year to the amount of R105 411 033 billion; the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Budget Vote 24 to the amount of R355 667 million and the Department of the Civilian Secretariat for police service Budget Vote 21 to the amount of R 144 369 million.

Lastly, may I take this opportunity to thank the Deputy Minister of Police Mr Cassel Mathale, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Tina Joemat Peterson and members of the Portfolio Committee, National Commissioner of the SAPS General Khehla Sithole, his management team and all SAPS members, the Ministry of Police – Chief of Staff Ms Nonkululeko Phokane and her team, Secretary of Police Mr Alvin Rapea and his team.

The Acting Executive Director of IPID Mr Patrick Setshedi and his team, the CEO of PSIRA Mr Manabela Chauke and his team, the National Head of DPCI Dr/ Lt Gen Godfrey Lebeya and his team, The DPCI Judge Kgomo and his team, The Chairperson of the DNA Board Adv Lindiwe Thomas Nkosi SC and her team, the Chairperson of the Firearms Appeals Board Ms Lungelo Shandu and her team and most importantly my beautiful wife Mrs Thembeka Cele and our family for the unwavering support in executing my duties in this portfolio.

I thank you.