Page 730 - Provincial Treasury Estimates.pdf

Department: of Community Safety
1.8 Budget decisions

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) on budget circular was used as a basis to inform general increases for
non-personnel expenditure items. Whilst the department has not budgeted for the cost-of-living adjustment

(COLA) in 2023/24 financial year, sufficient provision is made for pay progression of 1.5 per cent in each
of the 2023 MTEF financial years. The budget decisions to a larger extent are influenced by a number of

interventions to be implemented in response to the increase of criminal activities across the province.

Furthermore the budget is responding to the community mobilisation of the society against crime in
partnership with the other organs of the state as well as the partnership with other stakeholders.

A significant portion of the budget is allocated to compensation of employees and serving contractual
obligations.

2. 2. Review of the current financial year (2022/23)

It is safe to say that the department has registered some success stories in the current year.

2.1Key achievements

The department plays a leading role in the coordination of the multi-sectoral committees that ensures the
implementation of the Provincial Safety Strategy. The appointment of Community Police Forum members
as safety patrollers ( how many, the achievement against what target) through the Expanded Public Works

Programme to enhance school safety is also a key achievement for the department. The department has
successfully implemented the Court Watching Brief as a strategic contribution in the fight against Gender
Based Violence and Femicide. A total of 467 cases in 2022/23 financial year had been monitored

successfully as there was no target for the year under review.

For the period under review 2 oversight reports on the 2 Domestic Violence implementation reports as well
as the 2 court watching brief programmes have been conducted and analysed. The department convened

18 policing accountability engagements against annual target of 49. Also a total of 37 social crime
prevention programmes were implemented out of an annual target of 62.

Furthermore, the department reviewed and launched the Provincial Safety Strategy (PSS), with its main

focus to reflect the six pillars of the Integrated Violence and Crime Prevention Strategy (ICVPS). A
consistent provision of qualitative and quantitative oversight over the South African Police Service is
maintained. Ensured a collaboration and integration with other sister departments and organs of civil

society across all spheres in attending to incidents where crime and violence raises its very ugly head.

The department held Imbizo in Mthatha in the wake of a spate of ambush and murder incidents, went to
the heart of unrest in Lusikisiki and Majola areas, engaged a wide range of stakeholders to deal with the

spate of revenge killings, arson and stock theft among other ills. A significant intervention in areas with
increased stock theft such as OR Tambo District and reached an agreement with strategic stakeholders
such as National Prosecuting Authority, SAPS and others on various strategies to be employed.

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