Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, brought the National Policing Summit to a close this week with a powerful address that underscored the urgency of reform, the value of collective engagement, and the commitment to a safer South Africa.

In his remarks, the Minister described the three-day gathering as intense and deeply engaging, with robust discussions and valuable insights shared by police leadership, government representatives, and members of the public. He stressed that the event was not meant to be a one-off exercise, nor was it tied to the tenure of a particular Minister or National Commissioner. Instead, it is to become a standard practice, endorsed by Cabinet, and held every five years as a platform to take stock, reflect, and plan for the future.

The Summit was designed around three primary objectives: to assess the current crime trends and evaluate the effectiveness of existing policing strategies; to identify weaknesses and systemic flaws within the country’s policing structures; and to anticipate future challenges, while improving the efficiency and adaptability of law enforcement systems.

Central to these discussions was the human element of policing. Mchunu highlighted a workshop held in February that focused specifically on recognising and supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of police officers. Among the measures announced was the introduction of a toll-free, 24-hour hotline that would offer trauma counselling, peer support, and wellness services to SAPS members. This, he explained, would serve as a medium-term solution to the high levels of psychological stress experienced by officers in the line of duty.

Another immediate intervention would be the roll-out of a ‘Care for the Caregiver’ programme, aimed at providing support to wellness professionals within SAPS, many of whom themselves face burnout and emotional fatigue. This initiative, intended to be in place before the end of the year, acknowledges the heavy emotional burden placed on those who care for others within the service.

Mchunu also addressed structural reforms, revealing that the Ministry had finalised a revised organisational structure. This includes the introduction of a Detective Investigator allowance and the potential review of other allowances, depending on budget availability. The promotion policy is also under review, with the aim of balancing affordability with the need to boost morale. These proposals are set to be tabled at the SSSBC for further discussion and finalisation.

Significant strides have already been made in the form of recent financial adjustments. As of 1 April 2025, a 5.5% cost of living increase was implemented across SAPS. Operational members, including detectives, also saw their service allowance rise from R700 to R950, with future annual increases aligned to inflation. In addition, the housing allowance has been increased to R1,900. The Minister encouraged officers to make responsible use of these increases, discouraging indebtedness while urging members to take advantage of the housing allowance to secure long-term stability for themselves and their families.

Reaffirming SAPS’s commitment to ethical conduct, Mchunu said that the fight against corruption remains a top priority. In response to recommendations from a recent commission focused on ethics and corruption, SAPS will work to promote a culture of integrity through awareness campaigns and proactive prevention strategies. A major step in this effort will be the consolidation of existing anti-corruption units into a single, more effective structure.

Throughout the Summit, South Africans showed keen interest in the proceedings, and the Minister acknowledged that the conversations had drawn attention to both longstanding issues and emerging challenges. Yet, he noted that the real test lies in implementation. The question being asked, he said, is whether SAPS has the capacity and energy to act on the Summit’s resolutions. His answer was clear: the will to act is there, and the commitment is genuine.

Looking ahead, Mchunu laid out SAPS’s key priorities, which include reducing the murder rate, removing illegal firearms and drugs from communities, and addressing gender-based violence and femicide. Other crime categories requiring urgent attention include stock theft, cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, and extortion.

To effectively address these challenges, SAPS will continue to invest in vital enablers such as improved use of technology, strengthened crime intelligence, better training and resources for detectives, revitalised forensic services, and improvements to the general working environment for officers.

In closing, the Minister reiterated the fundamental duty of the police service, to protect the public and uphold justice. While criminals pursue self-interest, he said, SAPS stands on the side of public interest, committed to removing those who threaten the safety and wellbeing of South African communities.

“If we cannot yet eliminate the conditions that give rise to crime,” the Minister concluded, “then we must go out there and remove the criminals themselves.”