saps

Bheki Cele / Photo by Luke Daniel, TheSouthAfrican.com

SAPS spend R1bn on their top-heavy management each year, says DA

The DA in a statement has said that the SAPS are spending around R1 billion each year on salaries for their top management.

saps

Bheki Cele / Photo by Luke Daniel, TheSouthAfrican.com

The Democratic Alliance (DA) confirmed in a statement on Friday 15 November 2019 that the South African Police Service (SAPS), is spending around R1 billion every year on salaries for their top management employees, including major generals and brigadiers.  

DA MP, Andrew Whitfield said: “It’s staggering that R1 billion is being spent on top management at a time when there is a critical shortage of front line police officers at ground level to do the actual work of fighting and investigating crime. 

Whilst these top cops were drawing their millions, crime continued to spiral out of control and 76% of police stations across the country did not have a single rape kit in stock.”

Under-resourced police service 

The DA has said that the SAPS are severely under-resourced, therefore it makes no sense for employees to be earning salaries around R1.5m a year. 

“SAPS’ priorities are evidently skewed. It is ludicrous that SAPS’ top-heavy structure have been allowed to collect an average annual salary of R1.5 million, in light of the severely under-capacitated and under-resourced police service,” said Whitfield. 

Ranks of salary 

“This average annual salary of R1.5 m, stands in stark contrast with the average annual salaries of front line officers, which varies between R54 000 for a Trainee Constable, R243 260 for a Constable, R300 026 for a Sergeant and 391 007 for a Warrant-Officer.

“The police’s top management consists of over 170 major generals and 654 brigadiers who, judging by the latest crime stats, do very little in combating crime,” said Whitfield. 

SAPS are 64 000 officers short 

According to the National Police Commissioner, General Kehla Sithole, SAPS is 64 000 police officers short of meeting the United Nations police to citizen ratio of 1:220.  In South Africa the ratio is 1:380. The lack of visible policing has had a significant impact on safety and security and in preventing violent crimes.

“SAPS must immediately reduce its top heavy structure and redirect funding to the frontlines of policing. These front line officers are the true vanguard that can clamp down on the scourge of crime in our communities.

While we have a plethora of high ranking officials in cushioned offices at SAPS’ head office, the safety of South African citizens remains a huge concern,” added Whitfield.