Police Minister must address more than R150 million in irregular and wasteful expenditure 

07 July 2014

The DA will write to the Chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee on Police, Francois Beukman, to summon the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, to explain what will be done to curb the flagrant misuse of public funds, especially while the South African Police Service (SAPS) is woefully under-resourced.

A recent reply to a DA Parliamentary question, asked by the DA Spokesperson on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Alf Lees, has revealed that R 153 322 610.10 has been noted by the Department as irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure between 2009 to 2014.

The reply also revealed that R 45 212 787.50 of public money was spent irregularly on "accommodation and meals" in one year alone. Furthermore, R872 572 was wastefully spent on incorrect payments and R259 563 on dormant fuel cards.

This latest revelation reflects the complete disregard that the Department of Police has repeatedly displayed for responsible use of public funds.

The department cannot afford to waste public funds when so many of our policemen and women face life threatening danger on a daily basis without resources allowing them to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

It is unclear what more evidence President Jacob Zuma needs before he demands a comprehensive turnaround strategy for the SAPS.

In the absence of this leadership, the portfolio committee must take the lead and ensure that the new Minister does not allow this to happen again.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, July 7 2014

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