Police Portfolio Committee chair welcomes boost to detectives unit, more resources for police stations
The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has welcomed the human resources interventions and service enhancement plans announced by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, saying they could “create the necessary ripple effect needed to combat crime.”
Cameron said: “While the 4 000 new detectives and 300 new intelligence operatives are welcomed, the number must be increased over time.”
He also praised the focus on the 30 high-contact crime police stations, saying “a reduction in crime rates in those stations will improve the national picture.”
During a media briefing on Friday, Masemola confirmed that “more than 4 000 new police officers will be joining the detectives unit,” and that detectives would also be deployed to the top 30 high-contact crime stations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and Eastern Cape.
“We have also listened to the outcry, that more needs to be done to keep our hardworking detectives happy in a bid to retain them,” he said.
Masemola announced that SAPS will “introduce the detective investigator scarce skills allowance as an extra incentive” and also confirmed the recruitment of 300 new crime intelligence operatives. “These will be deployed to the various provinces to enhance our intelligence capacity,” he said.
Cameron emphasised the importance of capacitating the 10111 call centre, calling it a “lifeline for victims of crime”. He welcomed the addition of 575 operators. Masemola confirmed the new call centre staff “have greatly assisted the service to ensure a much more rapid response to crime-related emergencies.”
Cameron further welcomed the move to procure more police vehicles.
“On a daily basis we encounter members of the community with the same complaint, that when they approach the SAPS they are informed of a lack of vehicles.”
Masemola said: “Budget has been set aside to procure more vehicles with a focus on the operational environments.”
He also announced the recruitment of “5 500 police trainees” by early 2026 and the upcoming grade progressions for 10 000 officers.
Cameron said that structural changes in SAPS “should not be cosmetic but geared to deliver enhanced services.”