Pretoria - The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has welcomed Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's announcement to allocate an additional R2.1 billion to increase police personnel from 190 000 to 202 260 in 2013/14.
Popcru national spokesperson, Norman Mampane, told BuaNews that the increase showed government was committed to the fight against crime.
"We appreciate and welcome government's initiatives in fighting crime and corruption. It's time that government sets its priorities right. The country needs more police officers," he said.
Mampane described the additional R2.1 billion as "handsome," saying it would go a long way in fighting crime and ensuring safer communities.
In his Budget Speech, Gordhan said the staff increases in the police service would support more visible policing and detective and crime intelligence services.
He also announced that an additional R140 million would be allocated to strengthening about 20 trained tactical response teams and to establish an effective personnel vetting structure for criminal intelligence services.
The strengthening of crime intelligence units was also welcomed by Mampane, saying that there was a need for a "well-oiled machine in place."
He, however, expressed concern at police officers who were caught on the wrong side of the law, saying this should not be tolerated. "We cannot tolerate corrupt police officers in our midst. They should be sent straight to jail, this is where they belong," Mampane said.
