Cele Allocates Over R1 Billion Towards the Fight of GBV

By: Sthulile Mdletshe

Police minister, Bheki Cele, has announced an allocation of over R1.2 billion for the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

During his budget vote on Thursday, Cele highlighted that funds will help strengthen both proactive and reactive response methods by police.

The fourth quarter SAPS crime statistics 2020/2021 revealed that a staggering 9 518 people were raped between January and March this year.

The Eastern Cape’s Lusikisiki police station recorded the highest incidents of rape, overtaking KwaZulu-Natal’s Inanda station, which has sadly held the number one position for some years.

Cele says more resources will be made available and more officials will be capasitated in dealing with GBV cases.

He adds that expenditure was expected to decrease from R99.6 billion in 2020-2021 to R97.1 billion in 2023-2024.

“Compensation of employees accounts for 78 per cent (R225.9 billion) of the department’s expenditure over the period ahead. To remain within government’s expenditure ceiling for compensation of employees, the department’s budget for this item is reduced by R35.8 billion over the medium term. Of this, R15.9 billion is in line with the decision not to implement the third year of the 2018 public sector wage agreement, and freezing of salary increases for the next 3 years,” explains Cele.