Please find attached a soundbite by Dianne Kohler Barnard
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the recent purchase of a multi-million Rand commercial property by the Crime Intelligence Division of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Berea, Durban.
This purchase, approved by high-ranking officials within Crime Intelligence, raises serious concerns due to the vast amount of taxpayers’ money involved, especially as it follows a previous, highly questionable property acquisition in Pretoria, to the tune of R22.7 million — a matter that the Inspector-General of Intelligence confirmed is now being investigated.
What makes this new revelation even more disturbing is that Crime Intelligence appears to have spent R22.8 million on a property that was originally listed for R9.5 million — a staggering markup of over R13 million.
This raises serious concerns over potential corruption, mismanagement, and wasteful expenditure within one of the country’s most critical law enforcement divisions. Furthermore, Crime Intelligence appears to have failed to consult the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), as required, before making this purchase.
In response, the DA has written to the Inspector-General of Intelligence , calling for an urgent investigation into this purchase. We are encouraged by the confirmation that an investigation will be opened into the first case in Pretoria, and we expect a speedy resolution and feedback on both cases.
The continued pattern of reckless spending without oversight, amid senior management crises and ongoing corruption allegations, is intolerable.
Crime Intelligence’s actions reflect a blatant disregard for protocol and the needs of the South African public, who are being forced to endure poor service delivery while millions are wasted on luxury property deals.