Police ministry's budget approved but concerns linger over 'rot' in SAPS

JOHANNESBURG - The budget for the beleaguered police department was given the thumbs up by a majority of MPs in the National Assembly on Wednesday evening.

The House is currently voting on the Appropriation Bill in the final stage of the budget process.

Every department's budget must be approved for the Appropriation Bill to pass.

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While MPs have agreed on the police budget, claims of corruption and rot in the SAPS ranks again took centre stage in the House.

This follows explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that senior politicians had infiltrated top security structures and were colluding with drug cartels.

The Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Ian Cameron: "The Democratic Alliance remains gravely concerned by the rot in parts of the senior South African Police Service ranks. South Africa’s become a hotspot for organised crime, now ranked among the top three in Africa and in the top 10 in the world. We desperately need urgent intervention."

While the MK Party also called for urgent intervention, MP David Skosana said that the party rejected the budget.

"The allegations against Senzo Mchunu by General Mkhwanazi reflects the kind of rot that sits in the executive. As the MK Party, we want to reiterate that we cannot and do not allow General Mkhwanazi’s bravery to fall victim to the manipulation of facts and cover-up by this administration."