Is the PKTT a Waste of Money? R435 Million Spent, Questions Raised
The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in South Africa is facing serious scrutiny over its financial performance. A whopping R435 million has been spent on the team since its inception, but questions are being asked about whether this investment has delivered sufficient value for money.
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the South African Police Service (SAPS), addressed these concerns during testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of criminal syndicate infiltration within the SAPS. The committee was formed following accusations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged political corruption and obstruction of police operations.
Where Did the Money Go?
Advocate Lerato Zikalala, leading the evidence, grilled Dimpane on the financial accountability of specialized police units, particularly the PKTT. Dimpane revealed that the SAPS currently lacks a formal model to comprehensively assess the “value for money” of police task teams. She admitted that they are constantly questioning if these interventions are a return on investment.
Dimpane explained that the bulk of the PKTT's expenses covered overtime, travel, and accommodation for members often deployed from different provinces. She also stated that suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu did not consult her before disbanding the political killings task team, partly citing budget constraints.
- Overtime pay was a significant expense.
- Travel and accommodation costs were high due to deployments across provinces.
- The SAPS is working on developing a framework to assess the impact of these task teams.
The Need for Accountability
The lack of a formal assessment model raises serious concerns about the accountability and effectiveness of the PKTT. The investigation continues, and the pressure is on for the SAPS to demonstrate that this substantial investment is yielding tangible results in combating political killings.
The SAPS is optimistic that they will have a framework to assess the value for money before the end of the financial year. This assessment will be crucial in determining the future of the PKTT and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to combat crime in South Africa.