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Police departments

South Africa's 2025/26 Budget Allocated for Improved Policing and Tackling Crime

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The 2025/26 budget for the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been tabled, prioritizing improved policing and new initiatives to tackle crime and corruption in South Africa. Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu emphasized the importance of the budget in enabling new approaches and methods in policing, with a focus on driving inclusive growth, reducing poverty, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.

Key Takeaways:

  • The budget will focus on improving policing and tackling crime and corruption in South Africa, with key priorities including reducing the murder rate, tackling illegal firearms, and addressing gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
  • The Minister committed to enhancing the use of technology for crime detection and response, strengthening Crime Intelligence, upskilling detectives, and improving forensic services, fleet management, police infrastructure, and working and living conditions for police officers.
  • Specific budget allocations include R219 million for G20 conference security, R400 million for the 2026 Local Government Elections, and R34.8 million for the appointment of an additional Deputy Minister.
  • The budget has received mixed reactions from Parliament, with some members supporting the budget and others criticizing it for its lack of attention to corruption and victim-friendly facilities.
  • The EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe parties have harshly criticized the budget, accusing SAPS and IPID of failing in their mandates and requiring structural reform.

Statistics:

  • R219 million allocated for G20 conference security
  • R400 million allocated for 2026 Local Government Elections
  • R34.8 million allocated for the appointment of an additional Deputy Minister
  • R150 million shifted from SAPS operational budget to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) over two years
  • Budget allocation of R120 billion to SAPS
  • Forensic workload backlog: 8,400 cases awaiting DNA profiling
  • DNA results backlog: 30,000 cases awaiting DNA results
  • R203 million allocated to awareness campaigns

Sources:

  • "The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, has pledged that the 2025/26 budget will focus on improved policing and new initiatives to tackle crime and corruption in South Africa." (Parliament of South Africa, 07 Jul 2025)
  • "The budget is aimed at enabling 'new approaches and new methods' in policing, focusing on driving inclusive growth, reducing poverty, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state." (Parliament of South Africa, 07 Jul 2025)
  • "Mr David Skosana (uMkhonto weSizwe Party) strongly rejected the budget, accusing SAPS and IPID of failing in their mandates." (Parliament of South Africa, 07 Jul 2025)
  • "Ms Leigh-Ann Mathys (EFF) echoed these criticisms, arguing that SAPS required structural reform." (Parliament of South Africa, 07 Jul 2025)

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