Cape Town - The lion’s share of the Police Ministry’s budget over the medium term has been allocated towards increasing the visibility of police officers on the streets.
In his inaugural address, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu tabled the police ministry’s budget yesterday, announcing that R189.7 billion, representing 52% of the budget, was for visible policing.
“One of our top priorities is to reduce violent crime, gender-based violence, and femicide.
“We will place a strong emphasis on community mobilisation to increase police visibility through strategic partnerships.
“We have adopted the whole-of-government and whole-of-society framework, guided by the integrated crime and violence prevention strategy,” Mchunu said.
“These efforts will be primarily implemented through the Detective Services programme, which has been allocated R71.3 billion over the medium term.”
Certain crime fighters expressed their desire for the immediate injection of funds.
Nyanga Community Policing Forum (CPF) secretary Dumisani Qwebe said they were informed in May about a significant shortage of officers.
“We found out that the precinct was short of 114 officers and after we were informed more officers resigned and some passed away.
“The money allocated nationally may not make a significant difference in the province.
“If we are lucky we may get about 40% from the budget and also it may not be enough to fill all the positions.
“Sadly, the money will only be distributed next year and not now, meaning we are still going to face the challenges that we have,” Qwebe said.
Sea Point City Improvement District chairperson, Jacques Weber, said while they welcomed the allocation of budget to allow for new recruits, it would take two to three years for the officers to be trained and then develop experience.
“Today we have stations running way below the national deployment level in terms of police officers to citizens.
“If I look at our local police station, today they have only one vehicle servicing the entire (area). This is down from four to six vehicles per shift just more than five years ago.
“With the deployment of new officers the police top brass have to focus on their management structures at provincial and station levels, as there is a lack of experienced police management at many stations due to many senior officers leaving the SAPS.
“Detectives remain a huge concern, with stations running at almost 50% below their required number of detectives.”
Mchunu said they recognise the importance of modernising the police service.
“Our modernisation initiatives include upgrading ICT infrastructure, improving connectivity, and deploying mobile technologies.
“These technological advancements will enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to criminal activities. An amount of R2.845 billion has been set aside for the 2024/25 financial year.”
Mchunu said they would also pump money into combating extortion and other organised crimes.
“We understand the critical importance of protecting our economy from criminal activities. Economic infrastructure task teams, supported by organised crime investigation capabilities, will focus on combating crimes such as illegal mining, infrastructure-related crimes, and extortion in all business sectors particularly the construction sector.
“There is an urgent need for a more strategic and consolidated response to organised crime.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za
Cape Argus