MIDDELBURG – The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison exceeded its 2025/26 revenue target by R100 million and will use the 2026/27 budget to strengthen safety programmes across the province.
Delivering the department’s Budget Vote in the provincial legislature, MEC Jackie Macie reported that the department collected R1.8 billion against a projected R1.7 billion.
“This remarkable overachievement is a clear indication of the Department’s commitment to effective revenue management, improved operational efficiency and the responsible administration of public resources,” Macie said in his speech.
The department attributed the surplus to strengthened internal controls and prudent management of public funds.
The 2026/27 budget focuses on four strategic areas, including strengthening administration and governance, improving community participation, enhancing road safety and traffic law enforcement, and protecting government infrastructure and strategic assets.
The department's total budget for the 2026/27 financial year amounts to R2.35 billion, allocated across four programmes.
Programme 1: Administration received R226 million,
Programme 2: Provincial Civilian Secretariat for Police Service received R95 million,
Programme 3: Transport Regulation received R695 million, while
Programme 4: Security Management received the largest allocation of R1.063 billion.
The department said Programme 1: Administration will focus on achieving a clean audit outcome through improved financial management, compliance and investment in human capital.
Macie also emphasised the importance of civilian oversight and community participation, describing Community Policing Forums, Community Safety Forums, traditional leaders, youth formations, women’s organisations, faith-based groups and the private sector as key partners in fighting crime.
“The struggle against crime must become a societal movement,” Macie told the legislature.
The department will also prioritise road safety and traffic law enforcement to reduce accidents and fatalities on provincial roads. It will continue strengthening the protection of government infrastructure and strategic assets through improved access control, surveillance technology and security barriers.
However, Macie acknowledged that upgrades to physical infrastructure, including fencing and electronic security systems, remain constrained by limited financial resources.
On policing oversight, the department monitored all 90 police stations in Mpumalanga and analysed 12 service delivery complaint reports involving the South African Police Service (SAPS). Recommendations were made where shortcomings were identified to improve service delivery and public trust.
In the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), Mpumalanga contributed to the national 90 Days Accelerated Programme. During 2025/26, the province recorded 2,765 GBVF cases, resulting in 238 arrests. Courts secured 27 life imprisonment sentences and 533 convictions with sentences exceeding 20 years.
Macie credited stable SAPS leadership under Acting Provincial Commissioner Maj-Gen Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi with contributing to crime reductions in some areas.
With the November 2026 Local Government Elections approaching, the department is working with the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to ensure security preparedness.
Aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 and Premier Mandla Ndlovu’s priorities, the department said its vision is to make safety a catalyst for development, investment and social cohesion in Mpumalanga.
