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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Mchunu faces backlash over R120. 8 billion police budget
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu said they have prioritised budget allocation to Gauteng, KZN, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape, where crime is concentrated. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday said the parties that did not support the budget for his department were unrealistic and reacting excessively. 'Those who say they don't support the budget, what they mean is that in the areas and homes where they come from, they want us to withdraw the services that are there. Your reaction says what you say is unrealistic. It is being excessive unnecessarily,' Mchunu said. He made the statement when responding to the budget debate for SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service after presenting the department's R120.8 billion budget for 2025/26. Mchunu said they appreciated the allocation, but was under no illusion about the scale of the task ahead. 'The work that needs to be done far exceeds the resources available. Crime is adaptive, dynamic and, in many cases, well-financed and so must our response be.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mchunu said of the total allocation, R219.2 million was for securing the G20 conference scheduled for November, R400m for the 2026 local government elections, and R34.8m to support the costs associated with the appointment of an additional deputy minister as well as R150m for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). The salaries and benefits of employees take a huge chunk of the total budget. The minister said they have prioritised budget allocation to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape, where crime is concentrated. 'It is clear that identified high crime zones in all four provinces require intelligence-led targeted deployment of specialised units to combat criminality, over and above Operation Shanela. A total of 225 hotspot police stations have been identified, demanding targeted and synchronised interventions." A total of R85 million has been allocated to support the top 30 high-contact crime stations. MK Party MP David Skosana said South Africans were betrayed by the institutions meant to safeguard them. 'SAPS and IPID fail in their mandate to protect and be held accountable,' he said. Skosana said SAPS was supposed to serve the people, but there were horrifying crimes against women and children, while the detection rate for murder was at a critically low level. 'This budget, if passed in the current form, is a death sentence. Thousands of South Africans will continue to be failed by the State.' Skosana observed that R72bn was channelled towards administration, R24bn to detectives, and R1.7bn to the forensic science laboratories. EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys said SAPS was a criminal syndicate where there was institutionalised criminality. 'If there is no urgent reform, there is nothing that is going to happen. You can hire as many more young recruits, these young recruits will be recruited into criminality that is deeply embedded in SAPS,' Mathys said. ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe decried the mass arrest of senior police officials and said that despite an increase in the budget, there were systemic failures. DA MP Ian Cameron said effective policing should have integrity as its foundation. 'We should be able to say it must be a practical commitment to make,' he said. In response, Mchunu said 5,500 police trainees were receiving training at the various SAPS academies nationwide. 'We have advertised for the recruitment of 5,500 police trainees, who will commence with their training between January and February 2026. On the 30th of June, we introduced the online electronic recruitment system, allowing for applicants to apply online – a first for the organisation.' He also said the DPCI will strengthen its focus on national priority crimes, including serious corruption, cybercrime, and unresolved cases linked to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The DPCI will also undertake a comprehensive recruitment drive in 2025/26 with internal advertisement of 300 posts through a post-promotion process, 250 police trainees with qualifications in law, forensic investigation, and information technology will be placed within the directorate. 'The DPCI has also advertised 85 posts externally and plans to advertise a further 175 posts to capacitate the DPCI, including to attract skills such as forensic accountants, IT specialists, and financial investigators.' Mchunu added that before the end of this year, a temporary forensic science laboratory would be functional in KwaZulu-Natal. 'It will be helpful in terms of reducing backlogs that pile up in Gauteng,' he said. Mchunu also mentioned that negotiations were under way with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to establish an additional forensic science laboratory. 'We hope this will go a long way to meet our obligations,' he added.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘Police are the chief criminal syndicate': Saps R120bn budget criticised by MPs
Members of Parliament expressed their concerns about corruption in the police service. MPs have sharply criticised the police's budget, with several voicing concerns over persistent corruption in the South African Police Service (Saps). On Friday, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu presented the department's budget for the 2025-2026 financial year at the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town. The presentation was followed by a debate in which MPs scrutinised both the spending plan and annual performance targets. Mchunu tables Saps budget In his address, Mchunu highlighted the police's key priorities, which include reducing the murder rate, tackling gang violence, addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and rooting out corruption. To support these goals, he said several critical enablers had been identified to bolster the crime-fighting strategy. These include strengthening crime intelligence, enhancing forensic services and upgrading infrastructure such as police stations. 'This budget is about improved policing,' Mchunu told MPs. The total allocation for Saps stands at R120.89 billion. ALSO READ: 'No arrest warrant for police crime boss Fannie Masemola', IDAC says Specific allocations include R219.2 million to secure the G20 conference in November 2025, R400 million for the 2026 local government elections and R34.8 million to cover the appointment of an additional deputy minister. Additionally, R150 million is being reallocated from Saps' operational budget to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. Mchunu also announced the recruitment of 5 500 new police trainees in January 2026. 'Additionally, 250 police trainees with qualifications in law, forensic investigation and information technology will be placed in the directorate [Hawks] upon completion of their training.' Watch the budget vote debate below: The minister emphasised the need for targeted, intelligence-led deployments in high-crime zones across four provinces, including Gauteng and the Western Cape. He highlighted that R85 million was earmarked for the top 30-plus five high-contact crime stations. Community engagement efforts will receive R28 million for community policing forums (CPFs) and R8.5 million for initiatives such as imbizos. A significant R1.6 billion is allocated to combat GBVF. Infrastructure investment includes R670 million for constructing and upgrading police stations, R20 million for procuring and converting vehicles to enhance mobile service centres and R45 million for day-to-day maintenance of existing facilities. Saps budget criticised While ANC MP Erald Cloete expressed support for the budget, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party MP David Skosana rejected the spending plan, saying that South Africans were being 'betrayed by the very same institutions meant to safeguard them'. He accused both Saps and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) of failing in their mandates. Skosana likened the country's crime levels to a war zone and condemned the lack of accountability. 'It is a chilling indictment of a police service that has lost control,' he said on Friday. He warned that if the budget is passed, it would amount to a 'death sentence' for citizens. Skosana also said Ipid's annual performance targets, particularly regarding rape and corruption cases, were 'laughable', 'inadequate' and reflected what he described as an under-resourced institution. He highlighted Ipid's backlog of 10 500 cases and slammed its proposed R428.6 million budget. 'Only R9 million was allocated for forensic investigators. We are essentially throwing a glass of water on a forest fire. [It is] pure strategic failure.' READ MORE: Police sergeant arrested in Kamogelo Baukudi kidnapping case issued suspension letter The MK party member further took aim at Saps' administrative budget. 'R72 billion is set aside for administration, much of which goes to a bloated management structure and a system that seems more interested in sustaining itself than saving the public.' Moreover, Skosana condemned the lack of a concrete strategy to fight internal corruption. 'The so-called lifestyle audits mentioned in the budget are nothing more than a PR exercise. 'Officers implicated in criminality continue to rise through the ranks, protected by political connections and institutionalised silence.' He called for urgent action to reduce case and DNA backlogs, hire more officers and tackle corruption effectively. 'Chief criminal syndicate' Democratic Alliance MP Lisa‐Maré Schickerling also criticised the budget, calling it 'obscene' in the face of the police's declining credibility and rising crime statistics. 'One must ask, are we funding public safety or institutional failure? The reality on the ground is devastating,' she said. Schickerling raised alarm over South Africa's high GBV rates and Ipid's plan to only address 35 rape cases this year. 'That's not a plan, that's an admission of defeat and a resignation letter addressed to every woman that the system has failed.' Despite her concerns, she acknowledged there were some positives in the proposed budget. EFF MP Leigh‐Ann Mathys also rejected the budget, expressing scepticism that it would lead to any real reduction in crime. 'Minister, even if we add your President [Cyril] Ramaphosa's Phala Phala dollars, it is not going to help,' she said. READ MORE: Corruption crisis deepens within Gauteng police force Mathys warned that the reported dysfunction in Saps was a 'tip of the iceberg'. 'If we continue down this path, South Africa is going to lead the world in committing mob justice purely because the police are the chief criminal syndicate,' the EFF MP said. 'We have a history of high-ranking Saps officials caught with their hands in the cookie jar of corruption,' Mathys added. IFP MP Russel Cebekhulu echoed concerns about police corruption, referring to recent arrests of senior crime intelligence officers, including the division's head, Dumisani Khumalo. 'This undermines public trust and threatens the integrity of policing in South Africa,' Cebekhulu said.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SAPS Budget 2025: Mchunu targets GBV, corruption, and high-crime zones with R120 billion plan
Police Minister Senzo announces sweeping reforms to strengthen visible policing, invest in digital tools, and tackle gender-based violence, signalling a bold shift in SAPS strategy for the 2025/26 financial year Image: Tumi Pakkies/Independent Newspapers Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says South Africa's policing system is undergoing a strategic overhaul aimed at improving crime prevention, restoring public trust, and modernising police operations. Tabling the Budget Vote for the 2025/26 financial year in Parliament, Mchunu laid out a R120.89 billion allocation for the South African Police Service (SAPS), Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). ''While we welcome and appreciate the allocation, we are under no illusion about the scale of the task ahead. Crime is adaptive, dynamic, and, in many cases, well-financed — and so must our response be.' Mchunu outlined nine key crime-fighting priorities, including reducing the murder rate, fighting gender-based violence, tackling illegal firearms and drugs, and rooting out corruption within the SAPS. "Our commitment is to lead a police service that protects the vulnerable, disrupts criminality, and restores trust," he said. Mchunu noted that four provinces, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape, remain the primary focus due to high crime levels. ''It is clear that identified high crime zones in all four provinces require intelligence-led targeted deployment of specialised units to combat criminality.' He also confirmed that 225 hotspot police stations have been identified for synchronised interventions. Mchunu said visible Policing will receive over 53% of the total budget, while Detective Services will account for nearly 20%. Compensation of employees remains the largest cost driver, making up more than 80% of the budget. He also confirmed that 5,500 new police trainees will be enlisted in January 2026 to maintain the personnel complement of 188,000. A total of R219.2 million has been allocated for securing the G20 conference in November 2025, R400 million for the 2026 Local Government Elections, and R34.8 million for costs related to the appointment of an additional Deputy Minister. Furthermore, R150 million is being shifted to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) to support its anti-corruption partnerships. Community policing is also getting a boost, with R28 million allocated to Community Policing Forums and R8.5 million for public awareness campaigns, he said. To address Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV+F), a total of R1.6 billion will be spent, including R1.5 billion for Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units. Mchunu said, 'The country is gripped and aggrieved by GBV+F, as its prevalence has reached distressing levels.' Moreover, Mchunu said to modernise operations, R670 million will be invested in building and upgrading police stations, while R20 million will fund mobile Community Service Centres. and R45 million on police station maintenance. Mchunu highlighted the role of partnerships with the private sector, particularly with Business Against Crime South Africa. Projects include piloting automated police stations, expanding forensic labs, and integrating SAPS systems with private sector technologies. SAPS will also roll out drones, body-worn cameras, and digital tools to enhance public safety and investigative capacity, he said. Mchunu highlighted the role of partnerships with the private sector, particularly with Business Against Crime South Africa. Projects include piloting automated police stations, expanding forensic labs, and integrating SAPS systems with private sector technologies. "The SAPS continues to advance its modernisation agenda through the deployment of strategic technology solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency, situational awareness, and public safety," Mchunu said. Addressing corruption within police ranks, Mchunu confirmed, 'We have taken a defined stance against corruption within the SAPS and we unequivocally state that there is no tolerance for corruption.' This includes recent arrests of senior officials in Crime Intelligence. Human resources are being restructured, with new recruitment strategies, leadership development, and incentives. A new Detective Critical Skills Allowance of R1,000 per month will be introduced from October 2025 to retain skilled investigators. Additionally, 200 former detectives will be re-enlisted and more contract appointments made, said Mchunu. Furthermore, the DPCI will ramp up efforts against corruption, cybercrime, and unresolved Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa to invest over R1 trillion in infrastructure over three years
Of the R1.03 trillion to be allocated to public infrastructure, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said a total of R402 billion goes towards major allocations to roads, R219.2 billion to energy, as well as R33.7 billion to water and sanitation. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers INVESTING R1 trillion on roads, rail, energy, and water over the next three years demonstrates the government's resolve to change the composition of spending from consumption to investment, says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The budget document said of the R1.03 trillion to be allocated to public infrastructure, a total of R402 billion goes towards major allocations to roads, R219.2 billion to energy, as well as R33.7 billion on water and sanitation. Of the R402 billion for transport and logistics, R93.1 billion is for the South African National Roads Agency to keep the 24,000 kilometre national roadwork in active maintenance and rehabilitation. A total of R53.1 billion was for the maintenance and refurbishment of provincial roads. 'These investments will maintain our extensive road network in good condition allowing easy access and movement of freight and people within the country and beyond,' he said. He said allocations towards capital payments remained the fastest-growing area of spending by economic classification. 'Public infrastructure spending over three years will exceed the R1 trillion mark. This spending will focus on maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure, building new infrastructure and acquiring equipment and machinery,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The infrastructure spend will focus on transport and logistics, energy and water and sanitation. Godongwana also said R66.3 billion is allocated to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), with R18.2 billion meant for the rolling stock fleet renewal programme and R12.3 billion is provisionally allocated for the renewal of the signaling system. 'The spending will sustain progress in rebuilding the infrastructure to provide affordable commuter rail services. This will enable Prasa to increase passenger trips from 60 million in 2024/25 to 186m by the end of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.' The Minister said the energy sector will invest R219.2 billion on strengthening the electricity supply network, from generation to transmission and distribution. The water and sanitation sector will spend R156.3 billion on expanding water resource and service infrastructure including dams, bulk infrastructure to service mines and factories. Godongwana told MPs that the National Treasury continued to implement reforms that will facilitate greater private sector participation in public infrastructure. The new regulations for public-private partnerships (PPPs) were gazetted earlier this year and will take effect in June. 'The National Treasury has developed enabling guidelines and frameworks to support the new regulations,' said Godongwana, adding that the guidelines and framework will be published in the coming weeks. The budget documents said a single structure overseen by the National Treasury will be established during 2025/26 to coordinate state participation in project preparation and planning, public-private partnerships (PPPs), funding and credit guarantees. 'It will consolidate two units currently in the Government Technical Advisory Centre that coordinate PPPs and capital appraisals with the Infrastructure Fund in the Development Bank of Southern Africa.' It also said PPP regulations have been streamlined, reducing approval requirements for projects below R2 billion from June 2025. 'A clear framework is being established to receive and process unsolicited PPP proposals or bids from the private sector. Revised manuals and guidelines on PPPs are being produced and will be made available to the public.' Cape Times
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Budget: South Africa to invest over R1 trillion in infrastructure over three years
Of the R1.03 trillion to be allocated to public infrastructure, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said a total of R402 billion goes towards major allocations to roads, R219.2 billion to energy, as well as R33.7 billion to water and sanitation. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers More than R1 trillion will be spent on infrastructure investment on roads, rail, energy, and water over the next three years. Delivering his Budget speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the 2025 budget demonstrated their resolve to change the composition of spending from consumption to investment. Godongwana said allocations towards capital payments remained the fastest-growing area of spending by economic classification. 'Public infrastructure spending over three years will exceed the R1 trillion mark. This spending will focus on maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure, building new infrastructure and acquiring equipment and machinery,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The infrastructure spend will focus on transport and logistics, energy and water and sanitation. The budget document said of the R1.03 trillion to be allocated to public infrastructure, a total of R402 billion goes towards major allocations to roads, R219.2 billion energy, as well as R33.7 billion on water and sanitation. According to Godongwana, of the R402 billion for transport and logistics, R93.1 billion is for the South African National Roads Agency to keep the 24,000 kilometre national roadwork in active maintenance and rehabilitation. A total of R53.1 billion was for the maintenance and refurbishment of provincial roads. 'These investments will maintain our extensive road network in good condition allowing easy access and movement of freight and people within the country and beyond,' he said. Godongwana also said R66.3 billion is allocated to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), with R18.2 billion meant for the rolling stock fleet renewal programme and R12.3 billion is provisionally allocated for the renewal of the signaling system. 'The spending will sustain progress in rebuilding the infrastructure to provide affordable commuter rail services. This will enable Prasa to increase passenger trips from 60 million in 2024/25 to 186m by the end of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.' The Minister said the energy sector will invest R219.2 billion on strengthening the electricity supply network, from generation to transmission and distribution. The water and sanitation sector will spend R156.3 billion on expanding water resource and service infrastructure including dams, bulk infrastructure to service mines and factories. Godongwana told MPs that the National Treasury continued to implement reform that will facilitate greater private sector participation in public infrastructure. He said the new regulations for public-private partnerships (PPPs) were gazetted earlier this year and will take effect in June. 'The National Treasury has developed enabling guidelines and frameworks to support the new regulations,' said Godongwana, adding that the guidelines and framework will be published in the coming weeks. The budget documents said a single structure overseen by the National Treasury will be established during 2025/26 to coordinate state participation in project preparation and planning, public-private partnerships (PPPs), funding and credit guarantees. 'It will consolidate two units currently in the Government Technical Advisory Centre that coordinate PPPs and capital appraisals with the Infrastructure Fund in the Development Bank of Southern Africa.' It also said PPP regulations have been streamlined, reducing approval requirements for projects below R2 billion from June 2025. 'A clear framework is being established to receive and process unsolicited PPP proposals or bids from the private sector. Revised manuals and guidelines on PPPs are being produced and will be made available to the public.' The document said state-owned companies, public entities, and municipalities will fund 72.7 per cent, which total R748.5 billion of total public-sector capital investment from their budgets. 'For the 2025 Budget cycle, the Budget Facility for Infrastructure has approved nine projects with a total value of R55.5 billion, of which R15.3 billion will be funded by the Facility, supporting critical areas such as hospital infrastructure, transport and logistics and water.' It added that the 2025 Budget introduces a performance-based conditional grant for certain trading service entities that provide basic services, such as municipal water. 'This will incentivise financial and operational reforms to improve their functioning and sustainability.'
