Earlier this month, I accompanied Member of Parliament, Lisa Schickerling, to the SAPS Supply Chain Management office in Kimberley where documentary evidence showed that 2 000 DNA kits were requested in April and again in June, yet stock has not been delivered.
This has devastating consequences. Only 14% of the more than 3 200 of statutory rape cases, investigated by SAPS over the past five years, resulted in convictions. Without rape kits and other basics, our police cannot gather evidence. Without evidence, prosecutors struggle to secure convictions. Without convictions, criminals walk free. When criminals walk free, communities lose faith in the justice system.
Daarom is ondersteuning aan gemeenskapstrukture nie ‘n luuksheid nie – dit is ‘n noodsaaklikheid! Misdaad vier hoogty. Die polisie kan nie hierdie stryd alleen wen nie.
The department’s vision for community crime prevention is commendable.
But plans do not save lives – delivery does!
The department plans to assess 92 Community Policing Forums and 15 Community Safety Forums for functionality, but both targets remain unchanged for the next three years. If crime is increasing, why does our actions and assistance not increase? Safety cannot be achieved through tick-box exercises. It requires empowered communities alongside properly supported police services.
The number of social crime prevention programmes has remained unchanged for years.
This is not progress.
This is stagnation.
It is a red light warning us that social crimes will continue to prevail at the cost of our communities and our children.
While we understand financial pressures facing government, the decreasing budget for Transport Regulation of 8% year-on-year, from R136.7 million in 2025/26 to just over R125 million in the current year, is not understandable!
The department itself acknowledges that more than 80% of fatal road crashes are caused by human behaviour – reckless driving, speeding, pedestrian conduct and alcohol abuse. Can we afford not to invest in stronger law enforcement and awareness programmes that save lives?
Our roads are becoming increasingly more dangerous and targets do not save lives! Resources do!
Heavy vehicles continuous to grow through mining, agriculture and renewable energy. When roads deteriorate, business suffer.
The department plans to increase its number of speed operations, weighing of vehicles, and drunk driving operations. But the increased targets are set in an environment of decreasing resource allocations, human resource challenges, and outdated infrastructure.
How can we take the increased weighing targets seriously when the province still only has one functional weighbridge and a forecast of December for the completion of the others?
The Democratic Alliance believes that the people of the Northern Cape deserve a government that spends money wisely – because every wasted rand is a missed opportunity to save lives and to improve services.
We therefor call on the MEC to ensure that every official entrusted with public resources must understand that accountability is not negotiable! The DA will support every initiative that benefits the people of the Northern Cape but will also hold the department accountable.
Die mense van die Noordkaap vra nie miracles nie!
Hulle verdien leiers wat met integriteit, bereidwilligheid, en kapasiteit hul lewens kan verbeter.
Let this budget not be remembered by the amount that was spent.
Let it be remembered by audit findings that were resolved, roads that became safer, communities that become more secure and the lives that were saved!