Budget: SAPS gets funding boost ahead of G20 Summit and elections

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated significant funding to the South African Police Service (SAPS) in preparation for the upcoming 2026 local government elections and South Africa’s presidency of the G20 later this year.

Over the medium term, nearly 4,000 additional police officers are expected to be deployed, with an emphasis on boosting public safety and tackling violent crime, particularly gender-based violence and femicide.

In his budget speech on Wednesday, Godongwana reassured the country that fighting crime remains one of the government’s top priorities.

“Fighting crime, especially against women and children, remains top priority,” he said.

The minister also stressed that measures to strengthen police accountability and professionalism are being implemented.

According to the budget document, “an evidence-based approach, complemented by the continued resourcing of the family violence, child protection and sexual offences units, will be central to efforts aimed at reducing gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, in line with the national strategic plan on gender-based violence and femicide.”

The police department’s medium-term focus will be on building institutional capacity within SAPS, targeting high-risk areas where violent crime is prevalent, and addressing crimes that affect the economy.

These include fraud, corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The department’s expenditure is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.1%, rising from R113.6 billion in 2024/25 to R131.9b in 2027/28.

Compensation of employees will account for an estimated 80.8% of the department’s budget over the MTEF (Medium-Term Expenditure Framework) period, totalling R398.5b.

This increase will support the hiring of more personnel, with SAPS staff numbers projected to grow from 184,106 in 2023/24 to 188,018 by 2027/28.

Godongwana further outlined initiatives to improve internal accountability within the police service and improving the capacity of the police by reinforcing measures that promote accountability and enhance consequence management.

This includes conducting lifestyle audits on identified members and ensuring that departmental investigations into allegations of corruption are carried out effectively.

The introduction of a professionalisation framework will ensure that the police service remains focused on its mandate of law enforcement and public safety, free from political influence, Godongwana said.

Funding for these accountability and modernisation initiatives will come from the Administration programme, which has been allocated R72.4b over the next three years.

In addition to the R5.1 billion earmarked for policing around the elections and the G20 summit, this funding will also support the development of the newly established office of the Deputy Minister of Police.

Over the period ahead, SAPS will prioritise intelligence-led policing, enhanced community collaboration, and the use of advanced technologies.

The department will employ a data-driven approach to target violent crime hotspots and work closely with community policing forums to encourage the public to report criminal activity.

These measures are part of the integrated crime and violence prevention strategy, which involves cooperation with various stakeholders.

The anti-gang units will be strengthened and intelligence-led operations will be conducted in high-risk areas.

To support hotspot policing efforts, the department will deploy technology such as remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones), body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras in police vehicles.

In line with the broader state focus on justice and accountability, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will also receive a funding increase over the MTEF period.

Its total expenditure is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.7%, rising from R24.1b in 2024/25 to R27.7b in 2027/28.

Although the compensation of employees budget is set to increase at an average annual rate of 5.8%, the department is expected to reprioritise R328m to support the Information Regulator’s transition into a standalone public entity from April 2025. Other areas affected by the reprioritisation include goods and services and capital asset payments, bringing the total reprioritisation to R424.1m.

To support the digitisation and modernisation of the justice system, R2.3b has been allocated to the Administration programme over the medium term. The department also plans to fill 10 critical vacancies in its ICT unit to ensure the successful rollout of its digital strategy.

Both the SAPS and the Department of Justice will be expected to balance increased spending with stronger internal governance, accountability and service delivery as the government prepares to safeguard major national and international events, while continuing to address the country’s persistent crime challenges, Godongwana said.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za