South African Government Boosts SAPS Budget to Tackle Crime Ahead of G20 and 2026 Elections
The South African government is taking decisive fiscal action to confront one of its most urgent challenges: crime. In his latest budget speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a significant funding increase for the South African Police Service (SAPS). This boost aims to enhance public safety, improve police accountability, and prepare strategically. This is in preparation for the 2026 local government elections and South Africa’s upcoming presidency of the G20 Summit.
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SAPS Receives a Vital Budget Boost
Over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the government plans to allocate a large share of the national budget to SAPS. This enables the recruitment and deployment of nearly 4,000 additional officers. This funding targets strengthening institutional capacity and aggressively tackling violent crime. With particular emphasis on combating gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, issues Minister Godongwana identified as government priorities.
The police budget will grow at an average annual rate of 5.1%. This is an increase from R113.6 billion in 2024/25 to R131.9 billion by 2027/28. Around 80.8% of this budget will cover employee salaries. This supports an increase in SAPS staff numbers from 184,106 in 2023/24 to 188,018 by 2027/28.
Proactive Policing for National Security
With R5.1 billion earmarked specifically for policing during the G20 Summit and the 2026 elections, the government is stepping up to secure these major events and maintain national stability. SAPS will emphasize intelligence-led policing, stronger community partnerships, and the integration of advanced technology to target crime hotspots.
To enhance hotspot policing, SAPS will deploy tools such as drones, body-worn cameras, and dashboard cameras in patrol vehicles. This data-driven approach will help police efficiently suppress violent crime in South Africa’s most dangerous areas.
Prioritizing Gender-Based Violence and Police Reform
The budget underscores the government’s commitment to reducing GBV and femicide through continued support for the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) units. SAPS will adopt an evidence-based policing strategy as part of the National Strategic Plan to address these issues.
Minister Godongwana also highlighted efforts to reform SAPS internally. The government will implement a new professionalisation framework. This will be designed to depoliticize the police force and reinforce its core public safety mandate. As part of these reforms, SAPS will conduct lifestyle audits and thorough internal investigations. This is an attempt to root out corruption and rebuild public trust.
To support these modernization and accountability efforts, the SAPS Administration programme has been allocated R72.4 billion over the next three years.
Strengthening the Justice Department
Alongside SAPS enhancements, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will see its budget rise by an average of 4.7% annually – increasing from R24.1 billion in 2024/25 to R27.7 billion by 2027/28. This budget includes R2.3 billion for the department’s Administration programme, focusing on digitisation and ICT upgrades.
To ensure smooth digital transformation, the department plans to fill ten critical ICT vacancies. It will also reprioritize R328 million to support the Information Regulator’s transition into an independent public entity starting in April 2025.
Balancing Safety and Accountability
This budget signals a clear strategic shift to strengthen law enforcement and justice systems as South Africa prepares for major national and international events and continues to confront persistent challenges such as violent crime and corruption.
While the government is committing substantial resources, Minister Godongwana stressed that these investments must come with improved internal governance and service delivery. The vision is a modern, professional, and community-focused police service – one that restores public confidence and secures South Africa’s future.
As the G20 Summit and 2026 elections approach, South Africans can expect a more visible police presence and a justice system better equipped to deliver transparency and efficiency.
