Note to Editors: Please see attached soundbite by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP
In this week’s Portfolio Committee on Police, the South African Police Service (SAPS) was probed on its concerning audit outcomes, including several material irregularities.
When probed on debts owed to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, as the implementing agency for project building, Lt. Gen. (Dr) Fani claimed that the SAPS had no arrears to Public Works, despite conflicting figures from the Department.
Upon confirmation with Minister Dean Macpherson, it emerged that the SAPS reportedly owes Public Works approximately R2 billion. This is while our officers work with dilapidated police stations, with ill-resourced detective services, and a crumbling Crime Intelligence Division.
We will submit Parliamentary Questions to the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, to ascertain the truth. Misleading Parliament is a criminal offense, and the Lt. Gen. Fani’s position will be untenable, if he is found to have deliberately not spoken the truth to a Parliamentary Committee.
Lt. Gen. Fani was also under serious investigative probe in 2022, with no outcome apparently due to political interference by previous Minister Bheki Cele.
Additionally, General Fani signed off on all the technological infrastructure of the disastrous Telkom Towers – which never materialised.
We will raise the SAPS’ continuing lack of accountability with Committee Chair, Ian Cameron. The SAPS must work, and the DA is committed to ensure it equipped in keeping South Africans safe. SAPS however needs to meet us halfway if we truly seek to stem violent crime.