SAPS spent R306.2m on June 30 anti-immigration protests, R251.8m paid in overtime

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it spent R306,208,477 on deployments for the June 30 nationwide protests against illegal immigration, with R251,846,639 of that paid as overtime, according to a parliamentary reply from acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia.

Overview of the bill

Cachalia told parliament that the R306,208,477 figure covers overtime payments, subsistence and travel allowances, accommodation costs and the remuneration of reservists for the June 30 operations. He said the SAPS had initially allocated R600 million for policing and security operations related to the protests.

“This amount comprises overtime payments, subsistence and travel allowances, accommodation costs and the remuneration of reservists called up for the event.”

Spending breakdown

• Overtime remuneration: R251,846,639

• Travel and subsistence allowance: R49,068,086

• Reservists: R3,206,494

• Accommodation: R2,087,258

• Total: R306,208,477

Where the money was spent

The SAPS provided a geographical breakdown of the expenditure. The provinces and national competencies totals add to the overall figure of R306,208,477:

• Eastern Cape: R51,844,458

• Free State: R25,711,926

• Gauteng: R39,975,394

• KwaZulu-Natal: R57,640,239

• Limpopo: R14,446,885

• Mpumalanga: R16,170,872

• North West: R25,964,697

• Northern Cape: R23,410,154

• Western Cape: R31,630,786

• National competencies: R19,413,066

Payments, suppliers and outstanding claims

Cachalia said the expenditure related mainly to personnel costs rather than procurement from external suppliers. He explained that officers who required accommodation arranged and paid for it themselves and were reimbursed through travel and subsistence claims.

“Accordingly, no external service providers, contractors or suppliers received direct payments from the South African Police Service in relation to the operations for the specified event.”

The minister added that the SAPS was still finalising outstanding claims for reservist remuneration, overtime payments and travel claims.

Planned September 30 action and resources

The anti-migrant group March and March has called for a National Day of Action on September 30. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration said it had conducted multidisciplinary law enforcement operations targeting a range of issues linked to migration vulnerabilities. NATJOINTS Chairperson Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said normal policing would continue and that there would be no specific budget for the September 30 protests.

“There will be no specific budget. We work on the budget allocated on the baseline, and we are continuing.”

Cachalia said any remaining balance from the June 30 allocation would be used to support preparatory and operational requirements for the forthcoming Local Government Elections, including expenditure on fuel and vehicle maintenance to enhance operational visibility.