Acting Police Minister Gwede Mantashe has announced a bold new financial injection aimed at strengthening South Africa’s fight against violent crime and extortion.
In a national briefing, Mantashe confirmed that R85 million will be allocated to 35 high-contact crime stations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape — provinces hardest hit by violent crimes such as murder, rape, and armed robbery. These funds will go toward boosting personnel, infrastructure, and operational resources.
In a parallel effort to mobilize communities, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) will receive R28 million to improve local crime-fighting capabilities, with an additional R8.5 million earmarked for public safety awareness campaigns. Mantashe stressed that empowering communities is key to long-term prevention and early intervention.
Addressing the growing problem of extortion, Mantashe revealed that 2,417 cases have been reported nationwide, with police making 1,054 arrests and achieving 14 convictions to date. While progress is being made, he admitted more work is needed to secure successful prosecutions and disrupt extortion syndicates.
This latest budget announcement signals a more aggressive stance from government in restoring law and order, with Mantashe calling for greater accountability and coordination between police, communities, and the justice system.
