Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale, addressed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during the 2025/26 Budget Vote Debate, presenting government’s strategy to tackle crime and promote safer communities through collaborative, preventative measures.
Mathale acknowledged the complex challenges facing the country’s safety and security, many of which are rooted in broader socio-economic conditions. He stressed that while these issues are serious, they are not insurmountable. The government’s approach, he said, must be multi-pronged and involve all levels of society and government.
Central to this approach is the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS), developed by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS) and approved by Cabinet. The strategy aims to address the root causes of crime by integrating efforts across departments and government spheres.
“Crime prevention does not start with the police,” Mathale said, explaining that police often become involved only after crime has already occurred. He reiterated that criminal behaviour is often the result of accumulated risk factors such as poverty, social instability, and environmental influences.
He cited examples of departmental collaboration, such as the Department of Basic Education’s responsibility for fostering safe learning environments and addressing school bullying, and the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture’s role in promoting youth participation in sport as a deterrent to crime.
The CSPS has engaged national and provincial departments to integrate the ICVPS into their strategies, and most departments, including municipalities, have developed implementation plans aligned to its objectives. A National Working Committee, consisting of Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) departments and other stakeholders, has been established to coordinate efforts and report progress to Cabinet and other governance structures.
Although the CSPS operates at national level, provincial secretariats have been established to implement and align initiatives with CSPS directives. These secretariats, funded by provincial treasuries, are tasked with monitoring, reporting, and community safety planning. However, provinces like Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Free State continue to face capacity constraints.
Despite over 90 percent expenditure of allocated budgets by most provinces in 2024/25, funding remains inadequate for some. Gauteng received the largest allocation, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, while the Free State received the smallest. Notably, Mpumalanga received a slightly higher increase this year compared to other provinces.
The CSPS is also leading a research initiative in 2025/26 to assess how municipalities are implementing the ICVPS. KwaZulu-Natal has been designated as a nodal province to spearhead public engagement and promotion of the strategy.
Mathale highlighted the Cabinet’s recent approval of the National Policing Policy (NPP) on 14 May 2025. The policy aims to address infrastructure shortcomings, professionalise the police, improve public trust, and strengthen governance and leadership within SAPS. Provincial secretariats will help monitor implementation of the NPP.
The CSPS is also advancing policy on Familial DNA Searches (FDS) as provided for in the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act of 2013. The FDS technique is expected to improve investigative outcomes by identifying genetic relationships in forensic databases. Oversight of forensic laboratories will also be intensified to ensure timely processing of exhibits and reduce court case delays.
Mathale announced that two key legislative amendments will be introduced in Parliament in 2025/26, the South African Police Amendment Bill and the Firearms Control Amendment Bill.
As part of the ICVPS’s whole-of-society approach, the Ministry of Police has entered into cooperation agreements with provinces and municipalities to align efforts in crime prevention. So far, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape have signed agreements. Implementation is overseen by provincial and district technical committees, with a focus on intelligence-led policing, e-policing, gender-based violence, case management, and performance monitoring.
Community Safety Forums (CSFs) and Community Policing Forums (CPFs) remain important platforms for public engagement. The department will conduct assessments and offer targeted training in high-crime areas to improve their effectiveness.
On gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), Mathale outlined several oversight activities, including monitoring police compliance with the Domestic Violence Act, court observation in GBVF cases, and awareness campaigns involving communities, faith groups, and educational institutions.
The CSPS has been allocated R172.2 million for 2025/26, an increase of R16.3 million from the previous year. This includes funding for new senior posts and inflation adjustments. However, Mathale emphasised that additional resources will be required in future budget cycles to support the department’s growing mandate and revised organisational structure.
He concluded by calling on Parliament to support the budget, affirming the Ministry’s commitment to building a safer South Africa where all citizens live free from crime and violence.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all people live in safe environments, play a role in creating and maintaining safety, feel safe, and have access to quality services when affected by crime,” Mathale said.
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