Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated R266,1 billion in 2025/26 Budget towards crime-fighting, law courts and prisons, and also home affairs.

This follows the minister's 4,7% annual growth in allocated funds for peace and security, from R250,4 billion in 2024/25 to R287 billion in 2027/28. However, this increase is primarily to fund the SANDF troop deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, enhance capacity in the judiciary and prepare for the 2026 local government elections.

Of the R266,1bn in the 2025/26 Budget, R133.4bn will go towards the police services, R60,8bn towards defence and state security, R58,1bn being allocated to law courts and prisons, and also R13,9bn being set aside for home affairs.

Godongwana said that R9,4bn has been allocated to fund the defence force and correctional services.

The minister also explained that over the medium term, R119,1 million has been reprioritised within this function to help establish a shared forensic capability at the Financial Intelligence Centre.

Moreover, R150 million will be reprioritised to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation over the next two years to improve forensic accounting services as part of an initiative to bolster efforts to combat complex financial crimes and corruption.

"The total cost of R300 million over 30 months will be equally shared between the directorate and the private sector, fostering a collaborative approach to tackling economic crimes. These allocations will help combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, in line with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force and the State Capture Commission," he said.

An allocation of R821,2 million over the medium term is also designated for the Office of the Chief Justice to enhance capacity, address the funding shortfall for employee compensation and cover operational costs.

"This funding will also support the development of an online court system to improve judicial efficiency and enhance access to justice," he said.

"To support the smooth conduct of the 2026 local government elections, R1,4 billion is allocated for 2026/27. Of this funding, R885 million will be directed to the Independent Electoral Commission to oversee and manage the electoral process.

"Additionally, R400 million will be allocated to the South African Police Service to ensure public safety and maintain order during the elections, while R150 million will go to the Department of Defence for logistical and security support," he said.

"As part of initiatives to strengthen border security and improve the management of ports of entry, R909 million has been reallocated over the next three years from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to the Border Management Authority under the Department of Home Affairs. This funding will enhance the management of infrastructure at ports of entry," he said.

"The abolition of the Department of Public Enterprises and transfer of functions to other ministries created savings of R151,4 million, most of which will be used to enhance public administration and modernize information and communications technology in the Presidency."

He added that the Department of Public Service and Administration will be allocated R82,6 million over the medium term to implement measures to combat corruption, such as enforcing codes of conduct, providing protection to whistleblowers and conducting lifestyle audits for state employees.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za