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The DA in the Western Cape is calling on the Minister of Police to urgently address his department’s priorities ahead of the 2024/25 budget cycle so the SAPS budget makes noteable provision for the acquisition of more dogs for its K9-units.

This will greatly help to address the rampant drug and gang pandemic.

While the DA-run City of Cape Town - the only metropolitan municipality to achieve a clean audit last year - hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address last night, the DA in the Western Cape noted with dismay the extreme Police presence and the opulence of unnecessary motorcades, escorted by the SAPS VVIP Unit.

Yet, in the K9-unit 75 dog handlers in the Western Cape do not have dogs.

The K9-unit is considered a “force-multiplier” and an essential tool in fighting the war against drugs, which is intrinsically linked to the gang wars that plague the Province and many other parts of the country.

The SAPS VIP Protection and Security Services Programme received a main appropriation of R4.09 billion in 2024/25, with the VIP Protection Services sub-programme receiving the largest nominal increase of 7.5% - 53.1% of the sub-programme’s total budget.

Last night's SONA fanfare for VVIPs was a stark reminder of the often gross display of force in a growingly unequal society where the President and Deputy President get convoys of guards and cars, special presidential guards, and everyone else gets to face crime, drugs and gang activity.

Passionate police officers put their lives at risk daily to protect our vulnerable communities and to fight these social evils, but they are being denied the resources they need.

With only two narcotics dogs operational in the Cape Town Metropolitan area, it is simply unthinkable that the SAPS budget provides for such a show of force at SONA.

Just one excess luxury vehicle in a VVIP convoy could pay for the acquisition, raising and training of approximately 29 dogs that could assist the passionate men and women in blue.

The reality is that during the SONA heavy shooting took place across the Cape Flats, with 6 people shot dead in what appeared to be a gang-related incident in Lotus River.

The DA will ensure proper oversight over the SAPs budget in this coming budget cycle; especially the VIP Protection Programme and other misplaced priorities.

The DA calls on the Speaker of Parliament to reduce the opulence and show of force in future SONAs in favour of the vulnerable people on the Cape Flats and elsewhere whose lives are truly in danger.

Issued by Nicholas Gotsell - Member of the Select Committee for Security and Justice