SAPS gets funding boost ahead of G20 Summit and elections

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated significant funding to the SAPS in preparation for the upcoming 2026 local government elections and South Africa's presidency of the G20 later this year.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Over the medium term, nearly 4000 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 yesterday, 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".