SAPS 2021/22 Annual Performance Plan (Administration & Visible Policing); with Deputy Minister

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Police

04 May 2021
Chairperson: Ms T Joemat-Pettersson (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

Video: Portfolio Committee on Police 

Annual Performance Plans

In a virtual meeting, the Committee met with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to be briefed on the 2021/22 Annual Performance Plan. The SAPS’ presentation indicated that the total budget had been reduced by 3.2% to R96.3 bn. 78.1% of that allocation was to be used for the compensation for employees. Visible policing was the programme that was most affected by the budget cuts, with its allocation being reduced by 7.2% to R49.5 bn. There was a focus to be placed on mechanisms to combat gender based violence and femicide, with R1.2 bn allocated to responses to those crimes. The regulation of firearms remained a concern, but would be improved, with a planned increase in the recovery of stolen firearms and the completion of 90% of firearm license applications in 120 days. Mobile police stations would also be procured, and new stations would be built. The SAPS was also introducing the Safer Cities Framework and the Community-in-Blue concept.

The Members were extremely concerned by the large compensation budget, and felt that more money should have been allocated to visible policing. They felt strongly that the issues of the regulation of firearms had to be addressed. Particularly, the lengthy application periods for new licenses and the renewal of licenses had to be dealt with. Members were concerned that people who had not handed in their firearms during the amnesties and were awaiting a response to their license applications would be deemed in illegal possession of their firearms and thus be criminals. There were questions about the implementation of the new online system for these applications, as well as the regulating of personal issued SAPS firearms. Members were curious about the new developments, namely the Safer Cities Framework and the Community-in-Blue concept. Members asked why the SAPS was paying overtime instead of reverting to a shift-based system for its employees, as that would improve operations.

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting. She said that the Committee was at the centre of developing a peace and security footprint in the country. She asked everyone to observe a moment of silence for the loss of a former Committee Member, Ms J Mofokeng (ANC), and her daughter. She sent condolences of the Committee to the family. Apologies had been received from Rev K Meshoe (ACDP) who would leave the meeting early, as well as from Mr Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, who was unable to attend, and Mr Cassel Mathale, Deputy Minister of Police, who would be late to the meeting.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) would not join the Committee for the budget hearings due to there being other NCOP programmes ongoing. The oversight visit had to be attended to. It was supposed to be on the Friday and Saturday. The oversight visit had not been done, as it always overlapped with Parliament programmes. It could not be postponed any longer, hence it would happen on the Saturday and Sunday. All of the necessary buildings would be opened for the Committee. She asked the Members if they agreed that the oversight visit had to be done.

Dr P Groenewald (FF+) asked why the visit was no longer taking place on the Friday.

The Chairperson said that there were sittings of Parliament on the Friday.

Mr A Whitfield (DA) said that he had received a draft programme and thus flights had been booked and arrangements made accordingly to conclude at lunch time on Saturday. He was not aware that there would be Parliament meetings on the Friday.

The Chairperson asked for everyone to agree on the point that the oversight visit had to take place. She proposed that it take the whole of the Saturday and then on Sunday everyone would be able to travel back.

Rev Meshoe tendered his apology for Sunday as he would be unavailable.

The Chairperson said that was understood, but the visit would only be done on the Saturday and then the Sunday would be used for travelling. She asked if that was acceptable.

Rev Meshoe said that if that were the case, he would be able to participate in the oversight visit.

The Members agreed with the proposal.

The Chairperson asked Mr A Shaik Emam (NFP) if he would be coming to the National Assembly on Thursday and if he would be asking the President questions.

Mr Shaik Emam said he would be attending and that he would be asking supplementary questions only.

The Chairperson said that the matter of Mr R McBride [former IPID Executive Director] had gone to the Constitutional Court. The Committee had appointed Mr McBride and so was cited as a respondent in the case.

She thanked the Department of Police for sending the APP presentation to the Committee very early. She was very impressed with of all the Generals. The fact that the presentation was sent in so early allowed the Members to do justice to the budget hearings.

Gen. Khehla Sitole, National Commissioner, South African Police Service (SAPS), said that he and his team was present.

The Chairperson thanked Gen. Sitole for sending in the presentations so early. She asked the Committee Secretary to show the letter from the Chinese delegation. The Committee would have a Zoom meeting with the Chinese delegation. They had visited the Committee during its first year. In 2020, the Committee was supposed to visit the People’s Republic of China, but was unable to do that due to Covid-19. They had requested the names of the participants, the Members who would be in the meeting, and had sent the list of their members who would be in the meeting, and further, they would like to know the names of the Members who would speak. With the permission of the Members, she would make the opening remarks, welcoming, and speech. She had then requested that Dr Groenewald be the first to speak, followed by Ms Z Majozi (IFP), and then finally, Mr K Maphatsoe (ANC). She asked if the Members had any issues with the list of speakers.

Mr O Terblanche (DA) asked how the Chairperson arrived at the decision of the speakers.

The Chairperson said the speakers named are those who would be giving the formal speeches, but all other Members would be allowed to speak in the question and answer segment of the meeting. She consulted with the staff and decided that the Chairperson had to speak, the whip had to speak, and another woman, not from the ANC, had to speak.

Mr Shaik Emam said it seemed that the Members did not have a choice, but he would respect the Chairperson’s decision. He was concerned that it appeared that the Chinese, with their influence in the country, was dictating to the Committee who should and should not speak.

The Chairperson clarified that the three particular Members will give inputs on specific topics, and their time will be limited. If other Members wanted to speak, they could indicate that to the Chairperson.

The Committee Secretary presented the agenda for the meeting with the Chinese delegation. The meeting will begin with the keynote speech from the Chinese chairperson, then from the Chairperson. They would both have five minutes to introduce their delegations, and then ten minutes to give a speech. Each Member would speak for five minutes, with three minutes thereafter given for consecutive interpretation. Dr Groenewald would speak about introducing policing in community governance. Then Ms Majozi would speak about introducing policing and related supervision. Finally, Mr Maphatsoe would speak about introducing practices of community policing. Thereafter, Members would be able to participate in the 30 minute question and answer session.

The Chairperson asked if it would be acceptable to allow Mr H Shembeni (EFF), Mr Shaik Emam, Mr Whitfield, Mr Terblanche, and Rev Meshoe to speak during the 30 minutes. She wanted to make a point of who would speak during that time.

This suggestion was agreed upon by the Members.

Mr Shaik Emam asked if he would be at liberty to address the high level of human rights abuses in China and how their police deal with that problem at the meeting with the Chinese delegation.

The Chairperson said that the meeting was not about human rights abuses, rather it was about policing.

Mr Shaik Emam said that the question was how the Chinese police deal with the human rights abuses taking place there. It was an important question. Everyone knew how those abuses were dealt with in South Africa by the SAPS and law enforcement. He wanted to know whether the Chinese police were influenced by the government or were independent and acted appropriately, which he knew they were not.

Ms P Faku (ANC) thought that engagements with the Chinese delegation had to be allowed to unfold as they would. It could not be the place of the Chairperson to say on behalf of the Chinese delegation that the issue of the human rights abuses in China could not be discussed. She also noted that she had raised a case in the Committee in 2019, dealing with a young woman who was murdered by her boyfriend. The case had started in court on 3 May 2021, and was proceeding. This was one of the cold cases of gender-based violence in her province.

The Chairperson asked Ms Faku if she was receiving support from her Provincial Commissioner.

Ms Faku said that should be discussed off-record, outside the meeting.

The Chairperson agreed, and said that she would raise the matter with Gen. Sitole.

Ms Faku noted that the police officers who arrested the perpetrator in Cape Town were present in the meeting. She thanked the leaders of the SAPS for their involvement in the arrest of the perpetrator. She further thanked Gen. Sitole for coming to her constituency and becoming more actively involved in issues of gender-based violence. Gen. Sitole had identified some areas as priority locations of gender-based violence and some programmes would be implemented to combat this issue, however, after the meeting with Gen Sitole not much had happened in this regard.

Mr Maphatsoe said that he would not be comfortable entering into discussions on human rights abuses in China with the Chinese delegation, given that the meeting was to focus on policing. Doing so might be interpreted as the Committee interfering with their sovereignty, which the Committee did not have the right to do. He said they should leave the issues of human rights abuses for another engagement.

The Chairperson agreed with Mr Maphatsoe. The meetings were diplomatic and would be recorded on live television, hence the Members had to be moderate in what they wanted to do and say.

Rev Meshoe agreed with the Chairperson. However, the fact was that the police used methods to effect arrests which were not acceptable according to the Constitution. The Members should have the liberty to ask the Chinese delegation how their police effect arrests, and if people were being abused whilst being arrested. The manner of policing and human rights abuses could not be separated. The question would be how the SAPS could be expected to learn from how Chinese law enforcement operates to enhance its effectiveness, and vice versa. Although Members had to be diplomatic, they should be allowed to ask questions and raise concerns in this regard.

The Chairperson said she had always allowed the Members to ask difficult questions.

Mr Shaik Emam thanked Gen. Sitole for always being available, as well as his intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, as the Provincial Commissioner had got involved, and a lot had been done. He wanted to urge the Committee to have a presentation on how serious the issue of complacency, corruption, and collusion with law enforcement was on the ground, and how difficult it was making it for Gen. Sitole to get officers to be compliant and do the right thing. There had been some improvements.

He said that with regard to the meeting with the Chinese delegation, it was very difficult to see what was happening to people in China. The Members should be allowed to diplomatically raise concerns in this regard. More importantly, the issues of human rights violations and law enforcement cannot be separated. The Members had to know how the Chinese government and law enforcement deal with the high level of human rights abuses. To be blunt, he did not think the Committee should engage with a country that violates human rights.

The Chairperson closed the matter of the meeting with the Chinese delegation. She asked Gen. Sitole if he would be able to assist the Committee in going to the Forensic Science Laboratory and Central Firearm Registry on the Saturday of the oversight visit.  

The Committee Content Advisor said that he believed the oversight visit would take place on Saturday, 14 May. He also said that as per the proposed change to the Committee Programme, the Committee’s internal strategic plan would take place on 28 and 29 May.

The Chairperson requested that the Committee have a mid-term strategic workshop, where there would be an honest discussion that would not be televised. This would be a contact session, and all protocols would be adhered to. She asked for opinions from the Members.

Mr Maphatsoe agreed with the Chairperson’s proposal.

Rev Meshoe asked if the date for the workshop was cast in stone, or if there would be alternative dates, as he would be unavailable that weekend and he would want to be present.

The Chairperson said that the dates were not cast in stone. She wanted to accommodate all of the Members. She noted that Ms Majozi would leave the meeting soon as she was feeling unwell. She said that a new date could be accommodated, but it was very difficult to do so.

Mr Terblanche supported the idea of a strategic workshop. He asked if it would be online.

The Chairperson said that she hoped to have the workshop in person.

Dr Groenewald said the Committee could continue with the proposal, but as it was an election year, he could not make any commitment that he would be there as something could happen that would require his presence. If that happened, he would apologise.

The Chairperson said that the workshop should take place over one day only, and the date would be arranged.

South African Police Service (SAPS) Annual Performance Plan (APP) presentation

Gen. Sitole introduced his team. He confirmed that Lt Gen N Mkhwanazi was the new Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, after the expiration of Lt Gen E Jula’s contract. There was also a new Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo, who had started on 1 May, Lt. Gen. Radebe. The Forensics and Crime Detection Divisions had merged, and a new Commissioner had been appointed. Lt Gen Michael Mothlala had been moved to the Policing and Operation Division, which was the merged unit of Operational Response Services and Visible Policing, to replace Lt Gen Mkhwanazi. Other appointments would be confirmed after the announcement by the Minister.

With regard to the Committee’s oversight visit, Lt Gen Francina Vuma, Deputy National Commissioner: Asset and Legal Management, SAPS, would take charge of the coordination and would link up with the administration of the Office of the Chairperson of the Committee. He wanted to acknowledge the concerns raised by the Members and express his appreciation for those who raised questions before the time so that the SAPS could attend the meeting and provide solutions.

The presentation would be led by Maj Gen Leon Rabie, Head: Strategic Management, SAPS, and Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane, Chief Financial Officer, SAPS.

The Chairperson asked the presenters not to read the presentation verbatim. She thanked Maj Gen Rabie for his fantastic work in assisting Members with issues of lost items. She asked him to send her his cell number to forward to all of the Members as he helped every Member of Parliament.

2021 estimates of national expenditure

Lt Gen Dimpane said the budget was compiled for three years, but it was revised annually. The 2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) includes a budget until 2023/24. There had been changes to the baseline, influenced by a reprioritisation between departments, a forecast inflationary increase, and substantial budget cuts. The departmental baselines allocated from National Treasury were R108.2 bn for 2021/22, R112.6 bn for 2022/23, and R108.5 for 2023/24. Baseline reductions were introduced, which amounted to R37 bn for the 2021 MTEF. For 2021/22, there were reductions of R11.1 bn from compensation of employees, R3.9 bn from departmental agencies and accounts, R673.1 million from goods and services, and R45.4 million from claims against the state. There was also a reprioritisation of R85 million from compensation for leave pay-outs on the exit of members to claims against the state.

The SAPS budget for 2021/22 stood at R96.3 bn, which was 3.2% less than 2020/21. From 2017 to 2020 there had been an annual growth of 4.8% in spending trends, but in the new MTEF, there was an annual drop of 0.8%.

Financial programmes

The allocation to administration increased by 4.9% to R19.9 bn in 2021/22. For 2021/22, visible policing was the programme most affected by the budget cuts, with a decreased allocation of 7.2% from R53.4 bn to R49.5 bn. The allocation for 2021/22 to detective services also decreased by 0.7% to R19.5 bn, as did crime intelligence by 2.1% to R4.1 bn, and protection and security services by 1% to R3.2 bn for 2021/22. The total budget allocation to the SAPS would increase by less than a percent for the rest of the MTEF.

In terms of economic classification, 78.1% of the budget for 2021 would go to compensation of employees, 16.9% would go to goods and services, 3.6% to capital payments, and 1.4% to transfer payments. The allocation to compensation of employees had decreased by 1.1% to R75.3 bn for 2021/22. There was a drastic increase of 90.2% to R947 million allocated to buildings and other fixed assets, which constituted the recovery baseline as there was a reprioritisation to this function.

The compensation budget constituted R58.7 bn to the wage bill, R2.2 bn to allowances, R911 million to overtime, including that for the local government elections, R2.9 bn for rental and housing allowances, and R9.7 bn for medical schemes.

There was a focus on gender based violence in the 2021 MTEF, with R1.2 bn allocated for proactive and reactive response to these crimes, especially with regard to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Units. Departmental spending over the medium term would be in relation to the core programmes with visible policing weighing more than 51% of the total vote in 2021/22.

Development of the 2021/22 APP

Maj Gen Rabie said that the SAPS had been confirmed as complying with the requirement of including the relevant Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for 2019 to 2024 (MTSF) indicators and targets in its Annual Performance Plan (APP). The APP had been criticised for having too many key performance indicators. The indicators had been reduced, with the SAPS now monitoring 93 in the current APP. The Department had taken on advice of maintaining consistency in its performance measurement. Adjustments had to be made to the targets as a result of Covid-19.

Programme One: Administration

For 2021/22, R19.9 bn was allocated to the programme. This was slightly higher than the previous financial year. Of that R19.7 bn was allocated to corporate services, R84 million to management, and R62 million to the ministry.

There was a focus on improving the regulation of firearms, in terms of reducing the reporting SAPS-owned firearms as lost or stolen by 10%, to 508. In terms of improving access to policing services, the two targets were constructing three new police stations and procuring 15 new mobile contact points. These targets were dependent on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and contracted suppliers, respectively. The two targets for modernising the SAPS network were implementing four identified digital radio communication infrastructure sites and 90 wide area network (WAN) sites. These two targets were dependent on the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). In terms of training, 97% of learners were targeted to be assessed and declared competent in three prioritised training areas and three specialised capabilities. This target was linked to the Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) National Strategic Plan (NSP).

In terms of ethics and integrity, there was an annual plan, with the target being that 100% of the various commitments in the SAPS Ethics and Integrity Plan had to be complied with. For the implemented Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) related recommendations, 90% of these IPID related cases were targeted to be finalised within 60 calendar days. In terms of sound financial management, there would be zero tolerance for incidents of unauthorised expenditure. Further, the objective was to reduce the number of confirmed irregular as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure incidents by 67.5% and 70%, respectively, as aligned with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) directives. These three targets were mandatorily linked to the MTSF.

For regulatory compliance and management, there were targets of 100% for the completion of internal audits, forensic investigations, and executed inspections. In terms of organisational performance, the Corporate Governance Framework (CGF) had to be fully developed and implemented by 31 March 2022.

Programme Two: Visible Policing

R49.5 bn was allocated to visible policing for 2021/22. Of that allocation, R4.5 bn went to facilities, R4.5 bn went to specialised interventions, R2.2 went to border security, and R38.2 bn went to crime prevention. The total allocation had decreased from 2020/21.

In terms of improving the regulation of firearms, the number of stolen, lost, and illegal firearms recovered was to increase to 1 930, the number of SAPS-owned firearms recovered was to increase to 593, and 90% of applications for new firearm licenses had to be finalised within 120 working days. In reducing the availability of illegal liquor, 100% of identified illegal liquor outlets had to be closed in the total MTEF period. This was in line with the GBVF NSP.

In terms of reducing the levels of contact crimes, there was a targeted reduction of 7.48% in the number of contact crimes reported. This was linked to the MTSF, and in line with the President’s announcement. Further, there was a targeted reduction of 7.42% in reported contact crimes at the top 30 high contact crime weight stations, a targeted reduction of 2% of escapees from police officers, and a targeted maintaining of the recovery of 25 352 stolen vehicles.

Linked to the GBVF NSP, all 1 156 police stations had to render a victim-friendly service in order to reduce the levels of GBVF.  Additionally, linked to the GBVF NSP and the MTSF, there were targeted reductions of 6.9% and 6.73% in violence against women and children, respectively. 99.57% of all police stations had to have functional community police forums, in line with the MTSF. In terms of increased police visibility, three targets, linked to the MTSF, were the initiation of the Community-in-Blue concept in six provinces by 31 March 2022, the implementation of the Traditional Policing concept in one province by 31 March 2022, and the initiation of the Safer Cities Framework in ten cities and towns. There were further targets of 100% of peaceful crowd management incidents policed, unrest crowd management incidents stabilised, medium to high-risk incidents responded to, illegal mining operations responded to, crime-related hits reacted to, and profiled vehicles at land ports, containers at sea ports and cargo consignment at airports searched for the illegal facilitation of persons, contraband, or stolen property.

Programme Three: Detective services

There was a total allocation R19.5 bn, which was less than the previous financial year. This allocation constituted R13.3 bn for crime investigation, R2.6 bn for the Criminal Record Centre, R1.4 bn for the Forensic Science Laboratory, and R2 bn for specialised investigations. In terms of specialised investigations, there was significant resourcing of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), with certain budget allocations being ringfenced according to National Treasury.

In terms of reducing contact crime levels, there were targets of a 55.77% detection rate and a 40% detection rate for contact crimes at the 30 high contact crimes weight stations. Further, 14.97% of outstanding contact crime dockets older than three years had to be finalised and there had to be a reduction of 10.25% of outstanding wanted persons had to be circulated at the 30 high contact crimes weight stations.

For reducing violence against women and children, linked to the GBVF NSP, there were targeted increases in detection of crimes of 75.25% and 70.15%, respectively. In terms of the reduction of drug syndicates, 60% of the syndicates identified had to be neutralised with arrests, and the 5% increase in the number of arrests for dealing in illicit drugs was to be continued. 60% of the identified organised criminal groups had to be neutralised with arrests. This was in line with the MTSF. There were separate indicators dealing with the DPCI.

There had to be a 70% increase in compliance with the taking of buccal samples from schedule and arrested offenders to enhance the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) database, and further, 17% of outstanding person-to-crime investigate leads had to be finalised. In terms of the comprehensive utilisation of forensic investigative leads, 5.8% of outstanding crime-to-crime DNA leads had to be finalised, as did 6.7% of outstanding fingerprint leads and 13.3% of outstanding Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) leads.

In relation to the targets of the DPCI, there had to be a 65% trial-ready rate of case dockets for serious corruption in the private and public sector and in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster. 72% of registered serious organised crime project investigations had to be successfully closed. 90% of identified clandestine laboratories had to be dismantled with arrests. 65% of case dockets for serious commercial crimes were to be trial-ready. 65% of serious cyber-related crime support case files had to be successfully investigated in 90 calendar days.

In terms of the improved processing of fingerprint searches and maintenance of criminal records, 95% of the results of trials had to be updated in respect of both a guilty and non-guilty verdict within 20 calendar days. Further, 95% of original previous conviction reports were to be generated in 15 calendar days. In terms of enhancing the processing of forensic evidence, 75% of routine case entries had to be finalised in 35 calendar days, 70% of non-routine case entries had to be finalised in 113 calendar days, and there had to be a backlog of no more than 10% for case entries not yet finalised exceeding the prescribed timeframes. Further, 95% of IBIS entries had to be finalised in 35 calendar days and 80% of biology DNA intelligence case entries had to be finalised in 90 calendar days.

Programme Four: Crime Intelligence

The allocation was R4.1 bn, slightly less than the previous year. From the allocation, R2.4 bn went to intelligence and information management, and R1.6 bn went to crime intelligence operations. Compensation constituted the largest portion of this budget.

415 of 682 network operations to infiltrate criminal groupings had to be successfully terminated. In terms of operationalising generated proactive and reactive intelligence reports, 70% of intelligence reports were targeted to be operationalised at district level, 80% at provincial level, and 90% at national level. In terms of security risk and vetting assessments, 50% of planned annual SAPS security clearances had to be finalised, 50% of planned annual information and communication technology (ICT) security assessments had to be finalised, and 100% of planned annual overt mandatory physical security assessments in the SAPS had to be finalised. 100% of cross-border operations had to be facilitated and 100% of arrests of identified transnational crime suspects had to be made.

Programme Five: Protection and Security Services

The allocation was R3.2 bn, slightly less than the previous year. Of this, R1.7 bn went to very important persons (VIP) protection security, R1.1 bn went to static protection for local and foreign dignitaries, R89 million went to government security regulator, and R279 million went to operational support.

In terms of static protection, there were targeted zero security breaches during in-transit protection as well as identified government installations and identified VIP residences. In terms of physical security assessments, 122 out of 249 strategic installations were to be audited, and all 209 National Key Points (NKPs) were to be evaluated. There were zero security breaches targeted during physical protection and at identified government installations, in terms of presidential protection, and all ten NKPs had to be evaluated.

Gen. Sitole reminded the Committee that the SAPS had gone through a serious reprioritisation exercise to ensure the continuation of effective policing. Hence, there was a focus on investing in technology and the force multiplier which would enhance the reservists. There was also the introduction of the ‘policenomics’, wherein policy would be shaped in such a way as to support economic growth.

Discussion

The Chairperson asked for questions relating to the Programme One: Administration.

Mr Whitfield asked, in terms of building new police stations over the medium term, could the Members receive an indication of which police stations had been identified in the upcoming financial year. He was particularly interested in whether the long-awaited development of the Bethelsdorp police station was on the agenda. Which police stations had been identified for development so that the Committee could provide proper oversight?

Dr Groenewald said that he was someone who advocated for police officers to receive adequate compensation, however, looking at Programme One it was unacceptable that 78% of the budget was allocated to the compensation of employees. That was too high. The structure of the police had to be looked into. The SAPS could not continue in this manner.

He said that normally when there is restructuring the Committee is informed by the Department prior to any appointments being made. He asked when the restructuring happened and why the Committee was not made aware of any information regarding the planning of this decision. He noted that the firearm tracking system was not operational. If there was no system, how could it be ensured that the figures of lost or stolen SAPS firearms were correct? Was there an arrear payment for municipal services by the SAPS, and if there were, what was that amount?

Mr Shembeni asked how the instability of the firearm tracking system being offline affected the tracing of firearms. He asked what progress was made by the Department in finalising firearm licenses since the Committee’s last engagement on 16 February. Could the Department indicate the number of police stations in which the Integrated Case Docket Management System (ICDMS) had been implemented and was being used as at the end of the 2020/21 financial year? How many police stations still did not have the ICDMS? Had the recent inclusion in the Connect South Africa project expedited the rollout of the ICDMS?

He asked what the current status of the infrastructure and trainers at the training academies were. What was the current compliance level for the submission of financial disclosures that the SAPS certified, on remuneration work done outside of the Department? What steps were taken against delinquent employees, especially with regard to those in senior management structures? Was the attendance at ethics and integrity, advocacy and awards programmes mandated for all staff?

Mr Terblanche said that he had not seen much in the presentation regarding the National Development Plan (NDP). He asked if more clarity could be provided in that regard. He noted that visible policing had received the biggest budget cut. Police stations were not built. The police had to be taken to the community, so how was that going to be done? There was a budget implication for vehicles and equipment. Clarity had to be provided on that.

He asked what would be done to strengthen the firearm register. There was not much information on this in the presentation. There was a significant shift away from core service delivery of the SAPS, largely due to the decrease in personnel expenditure. An explanation was needed on how the new developments, such as the Safer Cities Framework, would be rolled out.

The Chairperson welcomed Deputy Minister Mathale to the meeting.

Rev Meshoe said that over the years, Members had complained about the heavy top-down structure at the SAPS headquarters. With 78% of the budget going to compensation, one could easily conclude that the concerns that Members had raised, that the headquarters appeared to be overstaffed and that money which could be allocated to other areas was not happening, were correct. It was very concerning that the budget for visible policing was reduced, but the budget for compensation remained so high. If high compensation resulted in reducing crime rates, then it would be justified, but that was not happening, so it could not be justified. Had the SAPS considered the concerns of the Members, that the organisation was top-down heavy?

He said that people who do not feel safe prefer to have firearms to protect themselves. Many people were complaining that it took too long to renew their firearm licenses. The delays in the application process created the perception that the state did not want citizens to have firearms for protection. Some people had said that they were waiting for 12 months, and others for two years, for their license to be renewed. He asked where the programme was. Was the perception that the state did not want citizens to have firearms, correct? If it was incorrect, why did the renewal process take so long?

Ms M Molekwa (ANC) recognised the slight improvement on many programmes. She said that there was information that out of about 4 000 gender based violence and femicide cases, only about 130 were being dealt with. She asked what the challenges were that was causing such a backlog. Did the SAPS have any mechanism to reduce the backlog? With regard to the building of new police stations, she asked what the status was on Makapanstad and another police station in the North West province.

The Chairperson acknowledged the strain placed on Deputy Minister Mathale. She thanked him for cooperating with and assisting the Members.

Mr Maphatsoe said he appreciated the presentation. He was happy that most of what the Members had raised in the meetings, as well as what the President had spoken about, had been taken into consideration for the budget hearings and the APP. It was apparent that the SAPS had a plan and target to strive towards in terms of dealing with the gender based violence pandemic. He was however worried that the continuous audit qualifications, every financial year, would cloud the good work being done by the SAPS. He asked how the internal audit was assisting in dealing with those qualifications. He hoped the SAPS would stick to its plans and not drop the ball. It was clear that the presentation was programme-driven. Frequent meetings had to be conducted to ensure progress was made and maintained. The oversight visit would verify that the plans in the APP were being implemented.

Mr Terblanche said that the previous performance of the Department had not been improving. He asked what the Department would do now, with a smaller budget and less personnel to improve its performance. Could something be said in that regard? He noted that there had been a suspended intake of training in the previous financial year. He wanted clarity on that. Would training be started again? If so, how many people did the SAPS plan to train? During December, a number of police reservists were permanently employed and were now in the colleges. How were they employed without completing their training nor having been found to be competent? What was the rationale behind that decision? Could the Members be informed of plans to upgrade police stations?

Responses

Gen. Sitole said that responses could be given in writing if questions were not answered or if the answers given during the meeting were thought to be insufficient. On the building of new police stations, the list of stations would be supplied. He said that there were three strategies in this regard. The first was the capital project strategy, where there was a long term plan of building police stations, which annually went on a priority list. In terms of the second strategy, namely, that of access to service delivery, the special developments did not allow the SAPS to focus 100% on the normal building of police stations. The emergence of new areas, especially the spreading of informal settlements had occurred rapidly and required a quick response, otherwise those communities would not have access to service delivery. This strategy also included the satellite and mobile police stations. There was a new trend, namely the online relocation of communities. In this regard, criminal activity had also moved online. Hence, an online access to service delivery process was being looked at to protect these communities. To do this, technology had to be looked at.

On the top heavy structure, the restructuring of the SAPS was introduced with the turnaround vision when it was announced during his [the Commissioner’s] first year in office. When the current Committee began its term, the restructuring was already in process. There was no formal opportunity to brief the current Committee on the restructuring process. If needed, this could be done at any time.

On the top heavy structure, this had been identified as a problematic area. A directive had been issued on several occasions to scale the structure down, as the normal percentage was 75: 25. That was where the SAPS wanted to reach. Before the budget cuts happened, the number of Deputy National Commissioners had been reduced from six to three, as functions were merged. Further, the number of Divisions had been reduced from 14 to nine, and this process was ongoing. The number of Lieutenant Generals had been reduced from 22 to 13. One Lt Gen had left last week and would not be replaced, with that allocation being frozen and used for production at that level. The compensation budget had been reduced from R62 bn to R53 bn. With the restructuring, an agreement had been signed with organised labour. The Integrated Resource Strategy had been formalised, where all physical and human resources were being migrated down to the police stations. This would ensure a better response to crime.

On the visible policing budget cut, the SAPS invested the most in visible policing. The budget cut was big, and an indication was made on the implication that the budget cut would have on visible policing, but it was understood that National Treasury did not have an alternative. To ensure that performance was sustained and improved with the reduced budget, a number of interventions had been introduced. One of which was reviewing the personnel plan of the SAPS, whereby it was decided that the force multiplier was to be enhanced. This meant more investment in the reservists, with the number of reservists to be increased, and new categories to be initiated in traditional policing and tourism, and the Community-in-Blue had been launched.

Within the Safer Cities Framework, there was investment in technology to enhance visibility, with fewer officers in the streets. The year of the detectives had been restored, and resources had been redirected to priorities, such as gender based violence in terms of the FCS Units, as well as the Cold Case Unit.

Lt Gen Sehlahle Masemola, Deputy National Commissioner: Policing, SAPS, said that the SAPS did not currently have the firearm permit system, as it was blocked off some time ago. That system was used, but it did not necessarily trace firearms. On the improvement of firearm regulation and the Central Firearm Registry, the SAPS had developed an action plan to hold different Divisions responsible and centralise the functions of designated firearm officials (DFOs). At the national level, as members worked on a 50-50 basis, people were employed on overtime to fill the gaps. An improvement to the system would be ensured.

On the outstanding firearm licenses and the long waiting periods, during the last two amnesties, firearm owners had handed in their firearms and the SAPS had to process those who applied for firearm licenses. In the last month of the amnesty there were over 30 000 firearm license applications to apply for licenses, and in last months had over 30 000 firearms from applicants. The SAPS did its best to assess them, but to do due diligence one each application, a lot of time had to be spent at station level to check the necessary factors before the applications could be sent to provincial headquarters. For the last financial year, 185 626 firearm (first and renewal) applications were received. Of this, 62 082 applications were finalised, of which 5 572 came from amnesty firearms, and 56 510 came from ordinary applications. 123 544 applications were outstanding and being worked on. Various teams were being involved in the process to improve performance in this regard.

Follow-up discussion and responses

The Chairperson said that the SAPS had had 120 days to process the amnesty applications. There had been two amnesties, yet the Committee was still awaiting a report on them. She asked what was happening in the meantime. Since the last amnesty and today, there were people who could not hand in their firearms. Were those people now in illegal possession of their firearms and effectively criminals? Lt Gen Masemola’s answer was unacceptable, as the processing period had already been extended to 120 days.

Lt Gen Masemola said the 120 days was a standard target period for the processing of applications for new firearm licenses and the renewal of firearm licenses. The amnesty firearms that came in huge amounts in a short period of time would not necessarily fall into that prescribed period. The SAPS relied on SITA to draw reports from system for the number of applications that had been processed. SITA was drawing the next report on 12 May, so only after that date would the Committee be able to be informed of how many had been assessed in this period. Otherwise, it would have to be done manually, which may result in inaccurate figures.

Mr Maphatsoe raised a point of order. He said that Lt Gen Masemola had not responded to the Chairperson’s question of what was happening to those people who had been unable to hand in their firearms during the amnesties, and whether they were now criminals.

The Chairperson said the matter of the Central Firearm Registry had to be solved urgently. The Committee had been receiving emails daily with concerns about the application periods. At least Gun Owner’s South Africa had removed the Committee’s email address from their database, so the number of emails was decreasing. The number of emails she received from firearm owners made it impossible for her to do her work. Firearm owners were complaining about waiting for up to two years for their licenses to be processed. She asked what was happening to those people who could not renew their licenses.

Dr Groenewald said that his question on the firearm tracking system was not answered. He said his question was not about the dot pin, but rather about his understanding that the system which was switched off ensured that it was known which police officer received which firearm and who was in possession of it. It allowed the tracing of those firearms. He asked how these things were now checked.

Rev Meshoe asked if the fact that people had to wait for more than two years to have their licenses processed was a result of the police officers’ incompetence in processing applications, an unwillingness to assist license applicants, or a lack of capacity. There had to be a reason for this issue.

Mr Terblanche asked what the implication was of the court ruling handed down recently about the ‘green’ licenses. He said that Lt Gen Masemola mentioned the use of overtime to ensure the backlogs were reduced. He also mentioned that police officers were working on a rotation basis. He asked how they would be able to work overtime if they worked on a rotation basis. He had asked this question four times in the past and had yet to receive an answer. Why did the SAPS not introduce a shift system? If this were done the rotations would be more frequent and overtime payments may not be necessary.

Lt Gen Masemola said that both amnesties had been finished, so if someone had not handed in their firearm, that person was now in unlawful possession of that firearm. The Minister had indicated that the process of new possible amnesties had to be started. The SAPS was finalising the capturing of the current amnesty so that upon approval a new amnesty could be put in place.

When the firearm permit system was switched off, the SAPS resorted to a manual system, namely the physical firearm register. There were categories of firearms, namely those which were personally issued to each police officer, and those officers who did not have a personal issued firearm had to sign for a firearm in the register every day when starting a shift and had to sign out when finishing a shift. When the officers with personal issued firearms report for duty those firearms get inspected, and the firearm numbers were written in the officer’s daily schedule. That was how the firearms were currently monitored.

On the issue of people waiting for more than two years, this was acknowledged. There were many reasons for the delays, including that people submitted duplicate applications to multiple police stations or people submitted applications with the incorrect information. The applications were being processed, but they did take time.

On the issue of overtime and the rotation system, it had been acknowledged that there was a lack of capacity, hence a work study was done by organisational development to identify how many people had to be hired at each police station. This would also deal with the issue of firearms. The SAPS was currently working on a manual system, but measures were being put in place to go onto an online system to ensure that the application process was easier. This was being handled by SITA and Technology Management Services (TMS). Mostly the Public Service Act personnel were being used to deal with the applications manually, and they were paid overtime for working on weekends. The shift system problem was being looked at, but at the end of the day more personnel was needed. Hence the first act was to increase capacity.

Gen. Sitole said that TMS was presently working with SITA on the firearm permit system, since the SAPS had parted ways with Forensic Data Analysts (FDA). A progress report could be given at a later date. If the Chairperson agreed, at a later time, Legal Services could provide clarity on the implication of the court ruling and the expired firearm licenses. He had issued directives, one of which was that with the centralisation of the DFO function, the national level would take control of that function until the process was stabilised.

He wanted to try and shift the burden from the Committee back to the SAPS. The answer that the Committee was expecting was to understand what was going to be done with long outstanding licenses. In the current action plan, he would instruct that a special project be done, with an audit being conducted, to clear those outstanding applications in less than three months. On the organisational development study, as this was instructed to be urgent, the study would be received soon so that the capacity in that environment could be improved. In terms of the shift and rotation systems, the input by Mr Terblanche should be taken and added to the action plan to see how it would much it would assist in changing the current process. He appreciated that input.

Rev Meshoe said he had asked a direct question that was avoided, as, he thought, was the Chairperson’s. He asked if the delay of two to three years for the approval of licenses had to do with incompetence, unwillingness, or a lack of capacity. One of these things had to be the reason. If there was incompetence or a lack of capacity but a willingness to help citizens, why did people not receive any communication from the SAPS informing them of delays? If there was communication, many people would not be complaining. Were those people still awaiting the processing of their applications now criminals?

The Chairperson said that there had recently been a situation where a woman wearing a headscarf for religious purposes was refused her firearm license. She asked when the manual applications at the Central Firearm Registry would be stopped. She believed that part of Rev Meshoe’s question would be answered if an answer was given as to when the application process would go online. The Committee would be visiting the Central Firearm Registry as everyone was very concerned about what was happening there.

Gen. Sithole said that the answer to Rev Meshoe’s question was a lack of capacity. That was why the organisational development process was sanctioned to enhance the capacity in a short space of time. The manual system was also contributing to a large extent, hence there was investment being put into moving to the online system to improve the situation. Monitoring and performance management would also be strengthened.

Rev Meshoe asked if a person whose firearm license had not been renewed for two years a criminal for possessing an unlicensed firearm.

Lt Gen Masemola said that if a person had applied for a renewal but had not yet received the new license, that person was not in illegal possession of the firearm.

The Chairperson said the Committee would have a separate meeting to discuss the Central Firearm Registry and the matter of firearms.

Mr Shembeni said that it had to be explained that according to the Firearms Control Act of 2000, there was a provision which stipulated exactly what happened while waiting for a firearm license to be renewed and whether a person was treated as a criminal for possessing a firearm while waiting for more than two years to receive a new license.

Lt Gen Masemola said that in terms of the Firearms Control Act and the Regulations, when someone applied for a firearm license or sought to renew their license, if that person receives a response saying their license was rejected, they would be in illegal possession of their firearm. But, if a response had not yet been received, that person was still in legal possession of their firearm. In terms of the legislation, when a photograph was taken for a firearm license, one’s face should not be obscured in any way. That was the reason for rejecting that women’s license, as she had a headscarf obscuring her face. She was advised to go to the Firearms Appeal Board, and if the decision was overruled the SAPS would abide by that.

The Chairperson said that the Committee was waiting for the report of the second amnesty and would get back to matter of the firearms at a later date.

Lt Gen Sindile Mfazi, Deputy National Commissioner: Crime Detection, SAPS, said that the ICDMS had been implemented in 998 police stations, with 159 police stations still to be covered. There had been some technical difficulties with the optimal functioning of the ICDMS at those remaining police stations. There were external parties for this project, but people from TMS were engaging with SITA to attend to those issues.

On the gender based violence backlog, the issue with the forensic laboratories had been known for a long time, but there was a plan to address this issue in a threefold manner. Firstly, the root cause was being looked at. Secondly, the current backlog was being examined to see how innovations could be created to deal with it. Thirdly, an action plan had been implemented to deal with the specific problem areas. Administrative issues, the availability of the necessary equipment and the issues of tracing were identified as root causes of that backlog. The SAPS had made small strides in addressing the issues.

In looking at the external issues, contract management and the resourcing of the environment was identified as key problems. To address this, an integrated team was on the verge of being established. In terms of the tracing system, there had been a problem with the P-Chem system, but progress was being made. In terms of human resources, the issues of medical surveillances and adding more personnel were being attended to. There was a medical surveillance contract and more than 100 positions for forensic analysts had been advertised.

On the non-availability of some equipment in the market, alternative options had been looked at. Together with SITA, the technology to be used for the relevant systems was being worked on. There had been discussions with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on prioritising the gender based violence and femicide cases in court. On the issue of the facilities, there was a problem with the DNA laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal, and a commitment had been made with regard to the Eastern Cape, which was on track to be operational by the end of the year.

On the shift system, the SAPS had engaged with organised labour on resorting back to the shift system to deal with the backlogs. The issue of procurement had been overcome. Overall, the SAPS was progressing well with facing these challenges. The contracts that had been issued were being monitored, to ensure that time did not run out. On the optimal utilisation of forensic exhibit management, to maximise the output, a technology team was interacting with the NPA to work towards eliminating the backlog.

Gen. Sitole added that the SAPS had interacted with an additional organisation that it would partner with to enhance its capacity to fight gender based violence cases.

The Chairperson asked Mr Maphatsoe to assist as Acting Chairperson if she disconnected, as her connection was unstable.

Lt Gen Vuma outlined the three police stations planned to be completed in the current financial year. In terms of the restructuring, in 2021 the SAPS was rationalising 33 officers from the level of Brigadier to Major General. On the payment of municipal services, SAPS was paying its municipal services through the DPWI, and was monitoring it very closely, as it had experienced that most of the rented premises would be closed due to a lack of payment for services by the DPWI. The payments were up to date. The DPWI had requested the SAPS to take over the payment of its municipal services from April, but after a request to train members for this function, the SAPS would pay its own municipal services directly from the next financial year.

The training of academy officer was stopped due to Covid-19, but it had been restarted. Currently 2 469 reservists were currently training at the college. They started training on 12 April. A second phase of training was also planned due to challenges, with the target of 3 000 reservists being trained not being met. The reservists would complete their training in August. At the start of September there should be another intake of between 1 000 and 1 500 reservists for training. The training of new constables would start in January 2022. All other training would restart, subject to capacity and the ability to adhere to Covid-19 protocols.

On the full financial disclosures, in terms of the positions of Brigadier to the National Commissioner himself, there was 100% financial disclosure. There was 99% financial disclosure of middle managers, with the 1% being from the two new appointees who had not yet disclosed their finances. That was being attended to. There was 95% financial disclosure of the lower level, with the 4% non-disclosure being addressed. Corrective measures were being taken in this regard. Part of the challenge in this respect was the movement of people to different stations. This was being addressed.

Lt Gen Johannes Riet, Divisional Commissioner: Supply Chain Management, SAPS, said that there was a system to monitor firearms. This was a property administrative system (PAS). As Supply Chain Management practitioners, inspections were done at station level every six months, where inventory was checked. Each police officer’s personal issued firearm was also checked to see if it corresponded with the system. During that process it could be seen who was in possession of a firearm.

On the Makapanstad police station, the DPWI was currently doing site clearance. He would follow up on the expected completion date. A contract was in place and mobile police stations were being procured to deal with the emerging communities. 50 mobile police stations had already been procured, and much more would be procured in the current financial year. On the upgrading of the police stations, the current infrastructure development plan covered until 2025, and had been shared with the DPWI. In line with this, the user asset management plan had been procured, in accordance with the government plan, and it had been submitted to the DPWI. DPWI would have to reprioritise the plan and the SAPS was awaiting the new allocation of funds to commit it to specific police stations.

Mr Shembeni said that the question on the current state of the academics was asked by him.

Lt Gen Riet said the SAPS had number of training academies, which were in a good state. The project in Hammanskraal was still ongoing, and the SAPS was engaging with the DPWI in this regard.

Mr Terblanche asked for a response to be given to his question on the appointment of reservists as permanent police officers.

Lt Gen Vuma said that the reservists currently at the college were training for four months and would finish in August. Their training had been shortened as they had already been trained in a number of modules in basic training. The second intake of training reservists would also take place for a shortened period. On the internal audit assisting with the audit qualifications, they are to an extent.

Mr Terblanche clarified that he had information that the reservists currently in training had been employed as permanent police officers in December 2020. He asked if they were now permanent police officers and if so why.

Lt Gen Vuma said that the reservists who were currently at the college were appointed as permanent officers on 1 December as they were supposed to go to the college immediately during that time. But, due to Covid-19 restrictions, they were unable to go to the college. They were regarded as having basic knowledge, due to them working at police stations for numerous years, and they had passed all of their modules. They were meant to go to the college only to finalise their formal training. A decision was thus taken to appoint them as full constables, rather than group them with entirely new trainees who had never worked in a police station.

The Acting Chairperson asked Maj Gen Mavundla to respond.

Maj Gen Edith Mavundla, Head: Technology Management, SAPS, said that the ICDMS had been implemented in 998 police stations. The remaining 159 would be implemented as the network was upgraded, as low network hampered the processing of the cases. In those areas, the cases were registered on the old system, which merged the information into the same database as the ICDMS.

The Chairperson asked to move to the discussion on Programme Two after this last response.

Lt Gen Dimpane said that the 78% allocation for compensation was as per the total SAPS allocation. The compensation allocation for Programme One was 66%. On moving away from the qualifications, there was one repeated qualification, which was reflected on the post-audit action plan that was submitted to the Committee. There was an effort between the SAPS, SITA, and the internal audit team to rectify this matter. The asset register had been submitted to the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), which was in the process of assessing it. All actions that had been indicated with regard to addressing the situation were proceeding well. Currently, the AGSA was finalising the audit in relation to this matter and the SAPS had not received any problems in this regard.

The Chairperson asked to move to Programme Two.

Lt Gen Bongiwe Zulu, Divisional Commissioner: Human Resources Development, SAPS, said that the challenges regarding the infrastructure of the academies had been included in the user asset management programme that had been submitted.

Gen. Sitole said that some questions raised by Members on Programme Two had been responded to. There had been additional programmes that were introduced, namely the Safer Cities Framework. In this regard, in addition to the ten pilot cities, the SAPS was busy compiling the national index, and was at an advanced stage. This was a multi-disciplinary collaborated approach that included other countries in terms of research. Those people that had designed the international safer city index were also involved. If there were more questions that required responses, the SAPS was prepared to provide answers.

Lt Gen Masemola said that the Safer Cities Framework project also applied to towns. The Community-in-Blue had been launched in all provinces. The Traditional Policing concept could not be launched due to problems arising from Covid-19.

Lt Gen Mothlala said that instructions had been given by Gen. Sitole on the prioritisation of long outstanding firearm applications. An analysis had been conducted and an action plan was in place to do this.

The Chairperson noted that the Members would have time the next day to ask questions as that meeting would deal only with the DPCI and IPID.

Mr Terblanche suggested that at some stage the SAPS could be asked to give a briefing on the new developments, such as the Safer Cities Framework, the Community-in-Blue, and the introduction of the Traditional Policing concepts. He asked if the SAPS could explain what was meant by that concept.

Mr Shembeni asked if the SAPS could explain if the Royal Police Reserve would form part of the reservists or if it would be a separate structure. What informed the establishment of this reserve? With the establishment of the additional police, could the SAPS indicate in which provinces it had been implemented, and which provinces had been identified for implementation in the current financial year?

Dr Groenewald asked for clarity on the response to the 78% allocation for compensation.

Gen. Sitole said that the 78% for compensation was in terms of the total SAPS compensation budget. The 78% did not apply to Programme One, rather it applied to all Programmes in totality. The Programme One figure was 66%. Dr Groenewald and Lt Gen Dimpane were on the same page in this regard. The compensation figure was still abnormal; hence the restructuring process had been introduced.

Dr Groenewald said that he understood the explanation.

Gen. Sitole added that the Traditional Policing concept was the African concept of policing. The concept of policing practiced by traditional leaders had been integrated into the current policing system. The so-called traditional police had not been taken through the process that the SAPS conducted. Hence the decision was made to integrate this which would enhance policing. On the Royal Police Reserve, this was one category of reservists, which were trained in the same way. The only difference was the deployment, as one group were deployed into tourism areas, others into traditional areas, and others into rural safety areas. Each category of reservists underwent additional specific training. The SAPS would be prepared to present on all of these concepts, including the ‘policenomics’.

The Chairperson thanked the Members and Gen. Sitole and his team for presenting. She asked Deputy Minister Mathale to give closing remarks.

Deputy Minister Mathale thanked the Chairperson, the Members, and the SAPS for presenting and responding to questions. He said these close engagements, and the holding of the SAPS accountable by the Committee, ensured that the SAPS strived towards effective policing.

The Chairperson thanked Deputy Minister Mathale and Gen. Sitole and the team. She knew the questions were difficult, but that they were necessary. The Committee took its role of oversight seriously. The Committee would continue with its meeting with the DPCI and IPID tomorrow. The Head of IPID had sent an apology as she was on training that could not be cancelled. She granted permission for an acting person at IPID to do the presentation. She thanked everyone for the fruitful discussion, and said that nothing could be left to chance.

The meeting was adjourned.

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