SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE CONCERNED ABOUT AG AUDIT FINDINGS ON SAPS 2025/26 ANNUAL REPORT parliament.gov.za/press-rele… @ParliamentofRSA @SAPoliceService @DefenceCluster @GovernanceClus1 @FinanceCluster @HealthSocClust MEDIA STATEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE CONCERNED ABOUT AG AUDIT FINDINGS ON SAPS 2025/26 ANNUAL REPORT Parliament, Thursday, 22 October 2026 – The Select Committee on Security and Justice today concluded its detailed review of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) 2025/26 annual report. The committee expressed its profound concern over the persistent audit findings raised by the Auditor-General. While the committee welcomes the sixth consecutive unqualified audit opinion on the financial statements, it strongly emphasised that financial cleanliness cannot mask severe governance, compliance and performance delivery failures. “Behaviour and cultural change are important in the institution,” said Committee Chairperson Ms Jane Seboletswe Mananiso. “The committee highlights with alarm the increase in material findings on reported performance information, which rose by 35.71 per cent, from 14 findings in the previous cycle to 19. “The Auditor-General’s report underscores that adequate supporting evidence was frequently absent, causing reported achievements in vital operational areas – such as 10111 emergency call centre handle rations, firearm recovery and detective detection rates – to be overstated, unverifiable or material inaccuracy. This is extremely concerning,” said Ms Mananiso. Furthermore, she said committee members raised concerns about capacity and technology. “It should be prioritised, as it will have an impact in fighting crime and improve levels of safety. The SAPS must look at the whole ecosystem of digitising its workflow. They must procure a system that is fit for purpose and that is integrated.” The committee noted the remarks of Prof Firoz Cachalia, the Acting Minister of Police, who said that performance targets must be realistic. The committee also confirmed its ongoing commitment to critically assess the department’s annual performance plans. The committee also noted that the SAPS has a recovery plan, that speak to fleet strategy and infrastructure management, to turn around the institution. Ms Mananiso said that severe control breakdowns continue to plague internal administration and operations, supply chain management and consequence management. The committee notes the identification of a new material irregularity concerning the ineffectiveness and underutilisation of the Investigation Case Docket Management System, alongside ongoing material irregularities tied to forensic examination delays, unlawful detentions exceeding 48 hours and struggling 10111 command centres. Furthermore, non-compliance with procurement prescripts drove up irregular expenditure, highlighting a systemic failure to implement effective preventative controls and post-audit action plans. Several committee Members urged the SAPS to prioritise the Community Policing Forums as they assist with crime prevention on the ground, said Ms Mananiso. While welcoming Finance Minister Mr Enoch Godongwana’s allocation yesterday of R186 million to boost investigations and forensic capacity, the committee demands that these funds address immediate and critical challenges like fleet management turnaround times. The committee will closely monitor how these funds are spent. The committee furthermore calls for urgent accountability regarding lifestyle audits, vacancies and intergovernmental friction between SAPS and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Ms Mananiso said that the committee also requested a post audit action plan from the SAPS regarding all commitments made at the meeting. “In conclusion, the committee insists on rigorous internal reforms, particularly in light of the Madlanga Commission and parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee testimonies and expects a drastic improvement in future audit outcomes.” ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE, MS JANE SEBOLETSWE MANANISO. For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer: Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms) Cell: 081 703 9542 E-mail: [email protected]

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🇿🇦 The PC on Home Affairs, PC on COGTA, and SC on Security and Justice are today conducting a joint oversight visit to @IECSouthAfrica to assess its state of readiness for the 2026 Local Government Elections. 🗳️ #LocalGovernmentElections2026 #ParliamentaryOversight

RT @JustSecuCluster: 🇿🇦 The PC on Home Affairs, PC on COGTA, and SC on Security and Justice are today conducting a joint oversight visit to…

SC on Security and Justice meeting with @SAPoliceService on Annual Report 2025/26. Chairperson Ms Jane Mananiso opens the meeting with concerns raised by @AuditorGen_SA regarding audit outcomes @ParliamentofRSA @DefenceCluster @GovernanceClus1 @HealthSocClust @FinanceCluster

WATCH live on YouTube SC on Security and Justice youtube.com/live/w2x17wnMgKk… @ParliamentofRSA @SAPoliceService

SC on Security and Justice meeting with @SAPoliceService on Annual Report 2025/26. @ParliamentofRSA @DefenceCluster @GovernanceClus1 @HealthSocClust @FinanceCluster

The Chairperson of PC on Justice and Constitutional Development, @Xola_Nqola , has called on @LegalAidSA1 management, striking employees, the Minister of @DOJCD_ZA to urgently resolve the ongoing strike and prevent further disruption to access to justice. parliament.gov.za/press-rele… @ParliamentofRSA MEDIA STATEMENT JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DEMANDS URGENT RESOLUTION OF LEGAL AID SA STRIKE Parliament, Wednesday, 21 October 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, has called on Legal Aid South Africa (Legal Aid SA) management, striking employees, the Minister of Justice and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to urgently resolve the ongoing strike and prevent further disruption to access to justice. Mr Nqola said reports of accused persons appearing in court without legal representation and criminal proceedings being postponed were deeply concerning. He warned that vulnerable South Africans who depend on state-funded legal assistance must not bear the consequences of an unresolved labour dispute. “The grievances raised by employees regarding frozen vacancies, remuneration and excessive workloads require a substantive response. At the same time, the disruption of legal services threatens the constitutional rights of people who depend on Legal Aid SA. All parties must recognise the seriousness of this situation and act decisively,” said Mr Nqola. Earlier this month, the committee engaged with Legal Aid SA on its 2025/26 Annual Report, during which the institution’s financial constraints and staffing pressures were highlighted. “We are aware of these challenge and at the time indicated our support to the institution.” Mr Nqola called on Legal Aid SA management to engage meaningfully with employee representatives and present a time-bound plan to address outstanding grievances, including staffing shortages and unsustainable workloads. He urged the Minister and the Department to facilitate resolution of the labour dispute, address matters falling within their respective mandates and engage the relevant decision-makers on funding and staffing constraints. The reported failure to secure a meeting between the Minister and striking employees must be followed by a clear commitment to meaningful engagement. “Employee representatives, in turn, must participate constructively in negotiations to secure a sustainable settlement that protects workers’ interests while limiting harm to the public,” encouraged the Chairperson. Mr Nqola further called on Legal Aid SA and the relevant justice-sector authorities to assess the impact of the strike on court proceedings and implement lawful measures to minimise prejudice to accused persons whose access to legal representation has been disrupted. “The parties must agree on concrete steps, clear deadlines and a process for monitoring progress. Court rolls are already heavily burned. The public deserves to know what is being done to resolve this dispute and restore effective service delivery,” he said. Mr Nqola said the Committee would continue to scrutinise Legal Aid SA’s financial sustainability, staffing capacity and ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate. “Legal Aid SA is a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy. We cannot allow financial constraints, unresolved labour grievances and inadequate staffing to undermine access to justice. The time for decisive action is now, and all parties must be held accountable for their respective responsibilities. The committee already resolved to conduct a physical oversight visit to the institution by next month,” he elabored. ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MR XOLA NQOLA. For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer: Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms) Tel: 021 403 8437 Cell: 081 703 9542 E-mail: [email protected] Access Parliament online via:

WATCH LIVE: PC on Correctional Service meeting on BRRR youtube.com/live/QW6dOzjxPjA… @ParliamentofRSA @DCS_ZA @JICS_ZA @DefenceCluster @GovernanceClus1 @HealthSocClust

PC on Correctional Services expressed disappointment that the @dcs_za has regressed from an unqualified audit opinion with findings over 3 consecutive fin years to a disclaimer audit opinion for the 2025/26 financial year. Read the full media statement parliament.gov.za/press-rele… @parliamentofRSA @JICS_ZA

PC on Correctional Services agenda for today - @DCS_ZA annual report for 2025/26 @ParliamentofRSA @JICS_ZA @AuditorGen_SA @DefenceCluster WATC LIVE: youtube.com/live/l5g8VPBzsyw…

PC on Correctional Services agenda for today - @DCS_ZA annual report for 2025/26 @ParliamentofRSA @JICS_ZA @AuditorGen_SA @DefenceCluster

READ: The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today shortlisted eight candidates to be interviewed for a vacancy on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). parliament.gov.za/press-rele… @ParliamentofRSA @SAHRCommission @DOJCD_ZA @Xola_Nqola @GovernanceClus1

READ: Media Statement - Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development meeting with @PublicProtector on Annual Report 2025/26 parliament.gov.za/press-rele… @ParliamentofRSA @DOJCD_ZA @Xola_Nqola

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development meeting with @PublicProtector on Annual Report 2025/26 @ParliamentofRSA @DOJCD_ZA @Xola_Nqola

Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development meeting with @PublicProtector on Annual Report 2025/26 @ParliamentofRSA @DOJCD_ZA @Xola_Nqola