The government has made R4,2-billion rand available over the next three years to improve police salaries, National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi announced on Monday.
He said that R950-million will be provided in 2005, followed by R1,2-billion in 2006 and R1,9-billion in 2007.
”Functional members of the SAPS [South African Police Service] can expect to receive this performance-based salary improvement over the next three years, which will be over and above the normal annual increase offered to all public servants,” he said.
He said the ”long overdue” salary improvements are intended to boost morale and improve service delivery to the public.
”The funds will assist in the recruitment and retention of the professionals and specialised skilled personnel, in the motivation of members and to improve productivity, and will serve to eliminate the temptation of bribery and corruption,” he said, addressing reporters at police headquarters in Pretoria.
He said salaries up to the rank of senior superintendent will be improved, money channelled towards scarce skills, good performance be rewarded and ”clear career paths for all employees” created.
The improvements, to be implemented over the next medium-term expenditure framework, will commence on April 1 2005.
This increase means that a constable (level four) in 2005 will earn R366 a month more than before — an increase of 8,3%.
Other increases are:
constables (level five) will earn R432 a month more;
sergeants (level six) will earn R528 a month more;
inspectors (level seven) will earn R654 a month more;
captains (level eight) will earn R785 a month more;
superintendents (level nine) will earn R929 a month more;
superintendents (level 10) will earn R1 150 a month more;
senior superintendents (level 11) will earn R1 352 a month more; and
senior superintendents (level 12) will earn R1 628 a month more.
”We expect productivity levels to increase and a marked improvement in delivery to the communities. The SAPS is committed to reducing priority crimes, especially contact crimes, by between 7% and 10%. These salary will go along way in engendering professionalism among our members.”
A spokesperson for the South African Police Union, Les Masenga, said his union fully supports this initiative and expects it to be well received among its members. — Sapa