R120bn to fix a broken system, but will it be enough?

South Africa’s law enforcement system is under pressure like never before, rocked by rising crime, shaken public trust and internal corruption. But Police Minister Senzo Mchunu believes the 2025/26 police budget, clocking in at R120.89 billion, might just be the turning point.

Unveiled in Parliament this week, the budget isn’t just about more boots on the ground. It’s about reimagining how police work in South Africa: smarter, faster, more transparent and more focused on restoring public confidence.

“Crime is adaptive, dynamic, and, in many cases, well-financed and so must our response be,” Mchunu told MPs.

Nine battles, one goal: Safety

Mchunu’s policing blueprint is built around nine crime-fighting priorities, including:

• Reducing murder rates

• Tackling gender-based violence and femicide (GBV+F)

• Clamping down on illegal firearms and drugs

• Confronting corruption within the SAPS itself

He named Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape as the four provinces receiving targeted attention, saying 225 police stations in high-crime zones would be the focus of “intelligence-led, synchronised interventions.”

Where the money goes

A quick breakdown of the R120.89 billion budget reveals what government is betting on:

• Visible policing: R64 billion (53% of total)

• Detective services: R23 billion (19%)

• Compensation: Over 80% of the budget goes toward salaries

• New recruits: 5,500 police trainees enlisted for January 2026

• Gender-Based Violence: R1.6 billion, with R1.5 billion dedicated to FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences) Units

In a year packed with high-stakes events, special allocations include:

• R219.2 million for G20 security

• R400 million for 2026 Local Elections

• R34.8 million to support the addition of a second Deputy Minister

Fighting crime with tech and trust

The 2025 SAPS budget is as much about innovation as it is about enforcement. Mchunu confirmed an upgrade rollout that includes:

• Drones and body-worn cameras

• Smart ID integration

• Automated police station pilots

• Expansion of forensic labs

• Digital crime scene tools

Partnerships with Business Against Crime SA are driving many of these innovations, as part of a bigger effort to bridge the gap between state and private sector capability.

Corruption crackdown: SAPS must clean its own house

Corruption inside the SAPS has become a public scandal, with several senior officials recently arrested. Mchunu didn’t mince words:

“There is no tolerance for corruption within SAPS.”

To back that up, R150 million is being reallocated to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) also known as the Hawks, to supercharge anti-corruption partnerships.

The DPCI is also tasked with chasing down cybercrime, political cold cases from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) era, and strengthening state capture prosecutions.

Bolstering human capital

Retaining skilled investigators is a priority. Mchunu announced a R1,000 Critical Skills Allowance for detectives, starting October 2025. He’s also bringing 200 retired detectives back into the fold and hiring 300 experienced internal detectives, alongside 250 trainees with specialist skills.

And to keep things running at a grassroots level, R28 million is being invested in Community Policing Forums, with another R8.5 million going to public safety awareness campaigns.

Will South Africans feel safer?

Public response on social media has been cautiously hopeful but skeptical.

“More money, but where’s the accountability?” one user on X (formerly Twitter) asked.
“Body cams are great. But what about fixing the basics, like reporting a case and it not disappearing?” another added.

With public trust in police services sitting at record lows, Mchunu will have to prove that this budget is not just another plan, but a pivot point.

Still, the tone is one of firm resolve. Mchunu ended his address with a call to action:

“A safer South Africa is possible. But it won’t be achieved by police alone. It will take all of us.”

A bold vision with a big budget and even bigger expectations

Minister Mchunu has laid down a transformative budget one that signals serious intent. But transforming the SAPS from a fractured, mistrusted force into a modern, effective institution will require more than numbers. It will need leadership, accountability, and consistent delivery.

The money is there. The promises are loud. Now, South Africa waits to see if the action will match the ambition.

{Source: IOL}

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