SAPS IN CRISIS: 800 dockets for one detective, undermined forensic services — Auditor-General’s critical SAPS findings
Despite billions of rands being channelled their way, police detectives are struggling, with some juggling between 600 and 800 cases each, reports the Auditor-General. Forensic services are also not up to scratch, with some computers not even functioning.
The Auditor-General of South Africa has raised concerns about the South African Police Service (SAPS) facing a crisis due to overwhelming caseloads for detectives and inadequate forensic services. With some detectives handling between 600 and 800 cases each, the Auditor-General noted that reliance on highly experienced detectives could lead to the loss of institutional knowledge and expertise.
Additionally, the police service achieved only 63% of its performance targets, even with the full budget of R15.5-billion spent in 2025 to 2026. Only 37% of cases led to arrests and court proceedings, 21% were withdrawn, and 10% were closed as undetected. Furthermore, forensic services, a crucial aspect of criminal investigations, were found to be severely underperforming, with only a third of their performance targets met despite spending the full R1.7-billion budget.
The Auditor-General highlighted issues such as outdated computers, expired contracts, and outdated forensic equipment, which hinder productivity and investigation efficiency. These problems could result in delays in justice for victims and accused persons, contributing to the growing scandal surrounding the South African law enforcement system.
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