The South African Police Service (SAPS) presented its revised 2025 to 2030 Strategic Plan (SP) and its Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the 2025/26 financial year to the Portfolio Committee on Police (PCOP) in Parliament. The re-tabling followed a directive issued by the Deputy President requiring all government departments to revise and resubmit their strategic plans and performance targets following the introduction of the 2025 Appropriation Bill and the Division of Revenue Bill.
While SAPS maintained the broad framework of its existing strategic plan, it has made several adjustments to its APP targets. These amendments were driven by the finalisation of audited 2024/25 performance data, concerns raised by the Portfolio Committee during earlier engagements, and internal assessments conducted by SAPS management.
Budget Review Reflects Operational Strain
The SAPS budget for 2025/26 has been set at R120.89 billion. The bulk of the budget, more than 80 percent, will go towards compensation of employees. Visible policing remains the largest programme, accounting for just over 53 percent of the budget. Detective services receive just under 20 percent, while the remainder is allocated to administration, crime intelligence, and protection and security services.
While R5.062 billion in additional funding was secured over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), primarily for wage adjustments, major events, and additional executive support, SAPS also faces reductions. An operational budget cut of R286 million, including R229 million from goods and services and R57.2 million from machinery and equipment, has introduced pressure on essential spending.
A notable shift in funds includes a reallocation of R150 million from SAPS to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), earmarked for anti-corruption partnerships under the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption.
Revised Crime Fighting Targets Show Ambition
Following criticism from the committee regarding low performance expectations, SAPS raised several of its detection rate targets. The detection rate for murder has been increased to 60 percent, up from a baseline of just over 47 percent. Similarly, the detection rate for contact crimes against women and children has been adjusted to 78 percent.
The murder rate, which stood at 40.58 per 100,000 population in 2024/25, is now targeted to drop to 30.02. SAPS has set a 25 percent reduction target across all contact crime categories, including crimes against women and children. Illegal firearm recoveries are expected to increase by 5 percent, while the recovery of lost or stolen SAPS-owned firearms is targeted at a 10 percent improvement.
The Annual Performance Plan now includes new indicators focused on enhancing police station performance, including the development of a functionality assessment model. SAPS will also conduct impact studies on business partnership projects and intergovernmental cooperation agreements to evaluate their effectiveness.
Forensics and Technology Still Under Strain
SAPS has significantly raised its target for forensic reports from 25,000 to 100,000 for 2025/26, citing improvements in lab productivity. The plan aims to ensure 100 percent compliance with the taking of buccal DNA samples from Schedule 8 offenders. Arrest targets linked to forensic and biometric leads have also been introduced.
Despite these performance increases, Committee members expressed concern over persistent backlogs in forensic processing and questioned the reliability of internal systems. Cases were cited where trials had to be delayed or withdrawn due to outstanding DNA and ballistic evidence.
Members raised serious doubts about the SAPS technology framework. They criticised the lack of integration with critical partners such as the Department of Home Affairs and the National Prosecuting Authority. The inability to track criminal cases seamlessly across the criminal justice value chain was described as a long-standing failure, despite substantial investment in the so-called Integrated Criminal Justice System.
Credibility Challenges Undermine Reform
Several committee members challenged SAPS leadership over the credibility of its commitment to reform. Incidents of police officers found guilty of serious crimes, including rape, who remained on duty, were presented as clear examples of systemic failure. Cases were cited where victims were retraumatised by police inaction, and allegations were made that internal disciplinary outcomes regularly contradict court verdicts.
SAPS was also pressed on its handling of extortion, particularly related to the so-called construction mafia. While detection rate targets for extortion have been increased to 60 percent, MPs noted the pervasive impact of these syndicates on public infrastructure and private investment, questioning whether SAPS was adequately resourced to dismantle them.
Infrastructure and Maintenance Criticised
Concerns were raised about the physical state of police stations and the continued reliance on private security to protect police facilities. MPs noted that broken fences, faulty gates, and inadequate security exposed officers and undermined public confidence. Questions were also posed about the effectiveness of the “devolved” police stations model, where maintenance responsibilities have been transferred from the Department of Public Works to SAPS itself.
SAPS management confirmed that R5 million had been allocated to each province to address urgent maintenance issues but conceded that major infrastructure repairs remained the responsibility of Public Works.
Strategic Commitments and Future Implementation
SAPS reaffirmed its intention to use the departmental operational plan to drive implementation of its revised performance targets. This includes improving administrative support to frontline units, modernising business processes, enhancing cybercrime response, and reducing civil claims through better accountability mechanisms.
The Department’s revised operational plan is expected to be finalised by 18 July 2025, with full implementation of new targets scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.
Parliamentary Oversight Continues
The Portfolio Committee welcomed the more ambitious targets but made it clear that progress will be closely monitored. Issues such as the arrest of a crime intelligence CFO, persistent forensic delays, and high-profile misconduct cases remain of serious concern.
While the revised APP demonstrates a more data-driven and assertive approach to crime fighting, Committee Members made clear that without concrete, visible improvement on the ground, the credibility of SAPS will remain in question. The weeks and months ahead will determine whether this retabled strategy translates into tangible change for communities across South Africa.
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