The committee concluded a rigorous meeting with the SAPS earlier this month following a briefing from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the police service’s 2024/25 financial and performance outcomes.

Weak Supply Chain Oversight Fuels Irregular Expenditure

Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron said the committee was alarmed by the Auditor-General’s findings, particularly that irregular expenditure increased by 140% over the 2024/25 financial year, reaching R640 million. “The fact that irregular expenditure increased so dramatically, or that SAPS admitted its Bid Evaluation Committee members lack training and fail to exercise due diligence when evaluating tenders, is deeply concerning,” said Cameron.

The committee stressed that procurement laws and regulations exist to safeguard public funds and prevent abuse. Spending that does not comply with the Public Finance Management Act or other procurement legislation, even when not directly linked to fraud, creates an environment ripe for corruption.

Cameron warned that weaknesses in procurement undermine efficient resource use within SAPS’s R113 billion annual budget, especially when there are repeated calls for increased allocations. “Weaknesses in procurement will lead to wastage in the system, diverting funds from critical policing needs,” he added. The committee highlighted the Medicare 24 Tshwane District contract awarded to Vusimuzi Matlala as a key example of procurement irregularities. The bid was awarded to a supplier who did not meet all evaluation criteria, in violation of procurement procedures.

The committee also expressed dismay at SAPS’s failure to implement corrective action, warning that such inaction not only results in irregular expenditure but also exposes SAPS to costly litigation. While the committee noted that the contract is currently under investigation, it called for a comprehensive review of all SAPS procurement processes, including those related to Covid-19 personal protective equipment. The committee is further concerned that the head of SCM and procurement somehow remains in his position despite successive annual findings of irregular expenditure. “The committee will intensify oversight of SAPS procurement processes, going as far back as the Covid-19 period to uncover systemic weaknesses and ensure accountability,” Cameron said.

Poor Forensic Laboratory Performance Hampers Justice

The committee further expressed serious concern that none of the six performance targets within SAPS Forensic Science Laboratories were achieved during the reporting period. “In a country struggling with the scourge of gender-based violence, the non-performance of forensic laboratories is an indictment on the SAPS and undermines efforts to secure justice for victims,” Cameron emphasised. Delays in forensic analysis, including DNA testing, it was noted, stall investigations, delay justice and erode confidence in the criminal justice system.

Crime Intelligence Claims Questioned

The committee dismissed as implausible SAPS’s claim that its Crime Intelligence programme achieved 100% of its targets, citing the ongoing rise in organised crime, drug trafficking and kidnappings nationwide. “A fully functional Crime Intelligence unit cannot realistically claim success when the lived experience of ordinary South Africans suggests otherwise,” said Cameron. The committee also noted the Auditor-General’s finding that 30% of SAPS’s reported programme achievements were unreliable as more plausible and called for senior management to hold station and provincial commanders accountable for inaccurate reporting.

Weak SCM Affects Frontline Policing

The committee emphasised that wasteful expenditure caused by poor SCM practices directly undermines frontline policing. Despite SAPS reporting 85.54% vehicle availability, many police stations continue to experience vehicle shortages, hampering emergency responses. “A prudent and transparent SCM system would ensure optimal use of resources and prioritisation of essential policing tools such as vehicles,” Cameron said.

Rising Contact Crimes Cause Concern

The committee raised alarm over the increase in contact crimes, particularly those affecting women, children, and persons with disabilities.

Crimes against women increased by 0.52% (from 202,633 in 2023/24 to 203,692 in 2024/25).
Crimes against children rose by 2.15% (from 46,052 to 47,044).

These trends were particularly concerning given SAPS’s target of reducing contact crimes. “SAPS must strengthen its policing strategies to reduce contact crimes, which remain a major driver of crime statistics and community insecurity,” Cameron said.

Commitment to Transparency on Crime Statistics

The committee welcomed the assurance by the National Commissioner that the Quarter 1 and 2 crime statistics will be released by 28 November 2025. The committee also noted positively that the forthcoming statistics will include disaggregated data on crimes against women and children, which will now form a permanent feature of crime statistics reporting.

“Regular and transparent release of crime statistics is critical to assessing the effectiveness of policing strategies and maintaining public confidence,” Cameron concluded.

The post Weaknesses in SAPS supply chain management a ‘breeding ground for corruption’ appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

In terms of Section 5 of the Money Bills Amendment Procedures and Related Matters Act No 9 of 2009, the National Assembly, through its committees, must annually compile BRRRs that assess departments’ service delivery performance given the resources available. Committees are also expected to provide an assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of each departments’ use of available resources and may include recommendations on the forward use of resources. It is in this context that the FSL’s underperformance concerns the committee.

In a country struggling with rampant gender-based violence (GBV), the committee characterised the inability to meet targets as undermining the fight against GBV. The Human Sciences Research Council revealed that one-third (33.1%) of South African women over the age of 18 have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, and 9.8% have experienced sexual violence.

“In a country struggling with the scourge of gender-based violence, the non-performance of forensic laboratories is an indictment on the SAPS and undermines efforts to secure justice for victims,” Police Portfolio Committee Chair Ian Cameron emphasised.

SAPS’s own report highlighted that crimes against women increased by 0.52% (from 202,633 in 2023/24 to 203,692 in 2024/25) while crimes against children rose by 2.15% (from 46,052 to 47,044). The increase in these categories of crime, according to the committee, called for increased focus on using forensic evidence to prosecute offenders. The committee emphasised that delays in processing forensic analysis, including DNA testing, stall investigations, delay justice and erode confidence in the criminal justice system.

The committee also highlighted that in its last oversight to the FSL offices in Durban, the refurbishing of the laboratory had taken too long, putting a further strain on other laboratories across the country. While the National Commissioner, Fanie Masemola, sought to assure the committee that they are putting measures in place to resolve challenges within the FSL environment, the committee argued that these measures have been promised for a while now, yet tangible results are not visible. The committee also questioned SAPS’s inability to renew contracts timeously for essential functions within the FSL environment .

The committee re-emphasised its commitment to enhance oversight over this function to ensure optimal benefit from the FSL environment.

The post SAPS Annual Report sounds alarm bells for fight against gender-based violence appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

In response to written questions from RISE Mzansi MP Makashule Gana, the Minister of Police said that the Enhanced Firearms Register System (EFRS) only records firearms by type, such as handgun, shotgun, or rifle, but not by make or model, such as AK-47 or Type 56, Norinco or Kalashnikov.

AK-47s and Illegal Firearms

The lack of detailed firearm data comes despite growing reports of AK style rifles being used in violent crimes, including cash-in-transit heists, political killings, and mass shootings. AK style automatic rifles are classified as prohibited weapons under the Firearms Control Act, making civilian ownership illegal. Only accredited collectors, museums, and film industry suppliers may obtain special licences, subject to strict conditions such as rendering the weapon incapable of firing live rounds.

RISE Mzansi argues that the inability to monitor specific weapon types undermines efforts to analyse crime trends and disrupt criminal networks. Gana said: “These guns should not be on the streets… We cannot build a safe, prosperous, equal and united South Africa for as long as criminals and other actors are in possession of dangerous weapons”.

Illegal Stockpile and Police Losses

It is estimated that South Africa has around two million illegal firearms in circulation. Concerns have been raised not only about criminal access to weapons but also about SAPS’s handling of its own stock. Between October 2023 and March 2024, police reported the loss or theft of 371 firearms and more than 29,000 rounds of ammunition.

There have also been documented cases of officers implicated in reselling confiscated firearms, some of which were later linked to gang violence and murders.

Steps Taken and Proposed

According to the Minister, SAPS has taken measures to tighten firearm control, including halting manual permit authorisations at border posts, expanding intelligence-led operations such as Operation Shanela, and increasing compliance inspections. Confiscated weapons are sent for ballistic analysis before being destroyed.

RISE Mzansi has called for expanded firearm amnesties, anonymous tip-off reward systems, harsher penalties for illegal possession, and stronger accountability for negligent loss of police-issued weapons. The party plans to raise the issue with the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Police.

The post Police Database Fails to Record Makes of Firearms, Says Minister appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Mr Cameron expressed concern that only 43.4% of households that experienced housebreaking, and 51.3% of those that suffered home robbery, reported some or all incidents to the police during the financial year. “This is an alarmingly low rate of reporting and points to an inherent lack of trust in the police,” he said.

While resource shortages – such as the high police-to-population ratio and lack of vehicles – contribute to these challenges, the Chairperson stressed that SAPS must use these statistics to strengthen their response and adopt a data-driven approach to policing.

Housebreaking and burglary remain the most common crimes faced by South Africans. “The SAPS must do more to improve visible policing, particularly in high-crime areas, to restore the public’s sense of safety in their homes,” Mr Cameron added.

The rise in sexual offences is another pressing concern. Stats SA recorded that approximately 132,000 individuals experienced sexual offences over the past five years, a 13.8% increase. During its recent oversight visit to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal, the committee flagged delays in processing DNA samples, which directly hampers the prosecution of gender-based violence (GBV) cases. Mr Cameron said: “The only real deterrent to GBV is effective prosecution. SAPS must resolve these delays as a matter of urgency to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.”

Public perceptions of safety are also in decline. The proportion of adults aged 16 and over who felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods during the day dropped from 85% in 2020/21 to 80.4% in 2023/24, before edging up to 81% in 2024/25. At night, the situation is far worse, with only 36.1% of adults feeling safe. Mr Cameron underlined the need for greater visible policing, especially after dark.

While acknowledging the SAPS’s shortcomings, the Chairperson also called for broader societal engagement in the fight against crime. “A whole-of-society approach is vital – whether through sharing information with the police or establishing effective community policing forums. The police cannot succeed alone,” he stressed.

The committee plans to engage both SAPS and Statistics South Africa on the general crime figures, particularly the disparity between SAPS’s reported statistics and the lived reality reflected in the survey.

The post Public Safety and Justice Survey Highlights Enduring Challenge of Trust in the Police appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

The MPs, Police Portfolio Committee Chairpersons Ian Cameron, Nicholas Gotsell, and Lisa Schickerling, had been conducting an unannounced inspection at the SAPS Philippi Training Academy. According to reports, their vehicle was ambushed on the return journey, with assailants hurling bricks and rocks. Windows were smashed and the MPs brutally assaulted. Gotsell and Cameron sustained serious injuries, while Schickerling escaped with minor wounds.

In a statement, the Presiding Officers expressed deep concern, warning that such attacks not only endanger public representatives but also undermine Parliament’s constitutional duty to hold state institutions accountable through oversight. They conveyed wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the affected members and called on law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.

Nicholas Gotsell described the ordeal, noting that a brick shattered the window next to him and struck his head, leaving an open wound. “Lisa was bruised and took a knock to the head, whilst Ian has sustained injuries which had to be stitched up as well as dental damage. We are all fine,” he said.

Gotsell stressed that the attack went beyond personal harm. “This was not just [a physical] attack. It was an attack on police oversight and the will of the people and their representatives to build safer communities. This was not a deterrent, it was a reminder of the aggression and brutality that our communities are faced with every day. We will continue to do the work we were elected to do.”

He also praised emergency responders for their swift assistance, commending SAPS, Metro Police, Metro EMS, CPI, and ER24. Special mention was made of ER24 paramedic Jason Pereira and his colleague for their professionalism and care under dangerous circumstances.

Parliament has urged calm while investigations proceed, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety of Members as they carry out constitutional oversight in communities across South Africa.

The post Parliament Condemns Attack on DA MPs in Nyanga appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Nationwide Arrests and Major Seizures

Between 28 July and 3 August 2025, SAPS operations in Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and Mangaung Metro led to the arrest of over 1,100 individuals. Key incidents include:

• Limpopo: 825 arrests for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault GBH, robbery, and illegal firearm possession. Seized items included over 1,300 litres of alcohol, counterfeit goods, knives, ammunition and cash.

• Western Cape: A 42-year-old suspect was arrested in Grassy Park for drug dealing, illegal liquor sales, and unlawful possession of police-issued equipment. The arrest followed a raid in the Sondela informal settlement.

• Northern Cape: 341 suspects arrested, with large quantities of drugs, counterfeit clothing, illicit tobacco, firearms and dangerous weapons confiscated. Operation Basadi was launched on 1 August to highlight the role of women in law enforcement during Women’s Month.

• Groblershoop: Coordinated raids uncovered R1.9 million in counterfeit clothing and R462,920 in illicit tobacco. Police also confiscated illegal fireworks and electronic devices in violation of the Electronic Communications Act.

• Mangaung Metro: Local foot patrols in crime hotspots resulted in arrests for undocumented residency and drunk driving. Police conducted public engagement to share safety tips and promised further operations.

Provincial police commissioners praised the dedication of officers and the support of local communities and partners in sustaining the operations.

Parliament Flags Alarming Conviction Gap

Despite the visible policing presence and large-scale arrests, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of follow-through in the courts. In response to a parliamentary question by ANC MP Mogodu Samuel Moela, the Minister of Police disclosed that since Operation Shanela’s inception in May 2023, more than 3.68 million cases have been opened, but only 215,233 convictions have been achieved.

Convictions by Province:

• Western Cape: 54,125

• Gauteng: 37,440

• KwaZulu-Natal: 30,131

• Limpopo: 26,389

• Eastern Cape: 23,804

• Free State: 15,879

• Mpumalanga: 11,214

• North West: 9,437

• Northern Cape: 6,814

The conviction rate stands at just under 6 percent nationally, suggesting a systemic issue in the progression of cases from arrest to successful prosecution.

When asked for gender-specific data on these cases, the Minister explained that providing a demographic breakdown would require an extensive and time-consuming physical docket analysis. Such an exercise, he noted, would likely disrupt service delivery due to the scope and scale of the crimes involved.

Criticism from Civil Society

During a previous interview with ProtectionWeb, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, offered a blunt assessment. “There’s no indication to us that they’re being successfully convicted. I think it’s a massive waste of resources. It is a very old-fashioned way of policing.”

While he acknowledged that the operation may have some seasonal value, Cameron was clear in his view that the current approach is flawed. “I think there is a place for something like Shanela, especially during holiday periods and that type of thing. I think there is potential value in it. But, it’s high numbers of low-level street arrests that in most cases, don’t see a successful conviction.”

Cameron warned that the burden placed on the detective services is considerable and counterproductive. “They put the detective services under immense pressure. If you go and spend time with detectives on ground level where Shanela was active, they hate it. They hate it with an absolute passion, because the dockets that they end up having to build are terrible. The information they get from the arrest work is usually kind of worthless, and they just feel like they’ve got other solid matters to be working on, in-depth investigations they would rather zoom in on.”

He added, “If you can’t indicate to me that you had a solid conviction for each one of those arrests, it means nothing. In fact, I think instead of being a deterrent, I think some criminals that just come off of it unharmed again just find it even more comfortable to be criminal in South Africa.”

Although Operation Shanela and its provincial offshoots have disrupted criminal activity and bolstered police presence, the growing disparity between arrests and actual convictions, combined with mounting criticism from civil society, raises hard questions about the operation’s long-term impact. Without a clear link between arrests and successful prosecutions, the effectiveness of Shanela as a crime deterrent is doubtful.

The post Operation Shanela Drives Thousands of Arrests, But Conviction Rates Raise Questions appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Revised GBV&F Action Plan and Oversight Structures

Central to SAPS’ response is its GBV&F Action Plan, which was initially finalised in March 2021 and revised in January 2025. The plan is structured around the pillars of the National Strategic Plan on GBV&F and includes prevention strategies, improved victim support services, and the professionalisation of SAPS responses.

To enforce governance, a National Steering Committee on GBV&F and an Inter-Divisional Forum have been established. These structures are tasked with ensuring accountability and coordination across police divisions.

Short-Term Acceleration Plan and Enforcement Mechanisms

In parallel, SAPS launched a 90-Day Accelerated GBV Plan from 1 May to 31 July 2025. This initiative focuses on enhancing victim services and tightening procedures for dealing with offenders.

SAPS members are also bound by a set of GBV&F-related national instructions. These directives cover a range of issues, including domestic violence, sexual offences, human trafficking, and protection of children. Any violation of these instructions is treated as misconduct and processed under the SAPS Discipline Regulations of 2016.

A joint compliance forum with the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service monitors adherence to the Domestic Violence Act. Routine compliance assessments are also conducted at station level.

SAPS allocated R50 million in the 2024-2025 financial year for GBV&F-related programmes. This budget supports training, strengthens Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units, and backs public awareness campaigns.

In a longer-term move, SAPS is implementing an Infrastructure Development Plan (2024–2029), aimed at equipping 95 police stations with victim-friendly facilities.

Several community-oriented projects form part of SAPS’ broader strategy:

• GBV&F Tavern Project: Initiated in 2023/24, this project involves collaboration with tavern owners in 30 high-risk areas. It includes educational murals, awareness messaging and roundtable discussions involving patrons and stakeholders.

• Children’s Awareness and School Safety: SAPS is working with the Department of Basic Education to implement school safety programmes, and has partnered with civil society organisations to create safer community spaces for children.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: SAPS actively participates in key national observances including Child Protection Week, Youth Month, Victims’ Rights Week, Disability Month, and the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children.

To improve public accountability, SAPS operates a national complaints system. Victims and citizens can lodge service-related complaints via the National Service Complaints Call Centre on 0800 333 177, through email at complaintsnodalpoint@saps.gov.za, or by using the “Service Complaints” function on the MYSAPS mobile app. Complaints are logged and tracked with specific timeframes for responses.

While SAPS has outlined a broad and structured approach to tackling GBV&F and crimes against children, the effectiveness of these interventions will ultimately depend on implementation at station level, sustained funding and rigorous oversight. With GBV&F rates still unacceptably high in many precincts, continued monitoring and transparency will be critical to restoring public trust and ensuring meaningful change.

The post SAPS Outlines Measures to Combat Gender-Based Violence and Crimes Against Children appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Accountability Concerns

MP Karabo Khakhau questioned the Minister of Police on whether any key performance indicators (KPIs) are in place to measure the effectiveness of chief executive officers (CEOs) in state entities under his authority. She also sought clarity on what steps, if any, have been taken to review executive pay in cases of financial underperformance, and whether remuneration has been aligned with the financial sustainability of the entities concerned.

Government’s Structured Performance System

In response, the Minister confirmed that Accounting Officers, including the Secretary for Police Service (Director-General), are assessed using KPIs contained in the department’s Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan (APP), in line with the Revised Framework for Strategic and Annual Performance Plans. These plans are approved by the Minister and include outcome indicators and five-year targets.

The Director-General has a signed Performance Agreement with the Minister, which is cascaded to Deputy Director-Generals and other senior officials. This agreement is aligned with the department’s APP and quality assured by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure consistency with government priorities.

For the 2025/26 financial year, the DG’s performance areas include:

• Strategic management of the department

• Oversight of stakeholder mobilisation

• Direction of research, policy, and legislative processes

• Civilian oversight to drive transformation of the South African Police Service (SAPS)

Importantly, the Minister noted that public servants, including these executives, are no longer eligible for performance bonuses.

No Pay Consequences for Financial Underperformance

While performance is tracked, the Minister admitted there are no specific mechanisms to reduce or withhold remuneration from executives in entities that consistently underperform financially. Salaries are fixed under the Public Service Act and related regulations, which do not allow for downward adjustments based on financial outcomes. This means that even sustained underperformance has no bearing on pay.

No Link Between Remuneration and Financial Health

The Minister further acknowledged that no action has been taken to align executive pay with the financial sustainability of the entities they manage. Remuneration remains governed by central public service rules, and departments lack the authority to make performance-based pay adjustments.

Khakhau’s inquiry underscores a structural flaw in public sector accountability, while executives are held to documented performance standards, their compensation remains insulated from financial realities. Without reform at the national level, this misalignment is unlikely to change.

The post Police Executives Assessed on Performance, Not Financial Outcomes, DA MP Questions Lack of Accountability appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

In line with this, the Chairperson wishes to share the following steps taken since the allegations were made.

1. The Chairperson has received confirmation from the Speaker of the National Assembly that she is considering the request for guidance on how to process the matter.

2. The committee has approached the Parliamentary Legal Unit for a legal opinion on possible ways to process the matter.

3. The Chairperson has received a letter from a member of the committee, Ms Lisa‐Maré Schickerling, requesting a joint parliamentary process with the Portfolio Committee on Justice. Engagements with the Chairperson of the PC on Justice have commenced to consider the modalities of such a process.

Mr Cameron has emphasised that the gravity of implications of this matter for the entire criminal justice system is the reason for such a comprehensive response to the allegations.

“I must reiterate that accountability and transparency are critical in considering this matter. The credibility of the SAPS and the security of our country is dependent on how these allegations are handled,” Mr Cameron emphasised.

The post Progress Report on Process to Consider General Mkhwanazi’s Allegations appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

In a formal reply, the Minister cited a 2016 empirical study conducted by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), titled The Barrel of the Gun: Improving the Regulation and Control of the Use of Firearms within the Private Security Industry in South Africa. The study provided evidence-based recommendations to strengthen regulation of firearms in the industry and was supported by additional academic research, including studies on the health risks of TASER use (Jauchem, 2010; Zipes, 2012) and the broader implications of firearm regulation in private security (Minnaar, 2008).

The proposed regulations do not ban firearms in the sector but aim to tighten controls and increase accountability. They include requirements for private security companies to ensure officers are fit, trained and legally compliant before issuing firearms. The regulations would also mandate strict record-keeping on the issuance, use and tracking of weapons, reduce the risk of loss or theft, and enforce adherence to the Firearms Control Act, particularly in gun-free zones.

The Department emphasised that the changes are intended to promote responsible firearm management and do not undermine the industry’s operational capabilities. It also clarified that the restricted non-lethal weapons, such as those used in crowd control, are classified as potentially lethal and are not standard issue for private security. These remain the responsibility of specialised police units.

Under Section 35(1)(m) of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (Act 56 of 2001), the Minister is authorised to introduce regulations relating to the use and possession of weapons in the industry. The Minister argues that the new framework will allow PSiRA to maintain a comprehensive, updated national database on firearm use within the sector, thereby improving regulatory oversight and public safety.

While the government frames the changes as a response to long-standing regulatory gaps, critics remain concerned that the restrictions could limit private security firms’ effectiveness in deterring crime at a time of rising national violence. The debate continues over how best to balance security, public safety and regulatory control.

The post Government Defends Tighter Private Security Gun Controls Amid Rising Violent Crime appeared first on ProtectionWeb.