The South African Police Service spends nearly R3.6 billion each year paying and maintaining 722 brigadiers and generals.

This works out to an average cost of about R4.99 million per senior officer. However, the figure includes the cost of maintaining the positions and does not represent each officer’s annual salary.

Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, revealed the figures after recent parliamentary questions examined the size of SAPS senior management.

The police service reportedly has one national commissioner, 20 lieutenant generals, 123 major generals and 578 brigadiers.

Hundreds work from head offices

Cameron raised concerns about where the senior officers are stationed.

He said almost 400 of the 722 brigadiers and generals work at the national head office. Another 166 are based at provincial head offices.

This leaves relatively few senior officers working closer to frontline policing operations.

Cameron described the leadership structure as bloated and questioned whether South Africans were receiving value for the billions spent on senior management.

Frontline officers face equipment shortages

The spending comes as police officers continue to battle serious resource shortages.

According to Cameron, the Cape Town Flying Squad is operating with about 40% of its required vehicle capacity.

He also claimed officers on the Cape Flats have been without R5 rifles for several years. They are reportedly expected to confront extortion gangs armed with AK-47s while using older pistols.

SAPS is also dealing with a backlog of nearly 300,000 DNA cases and delays involving ballistic evidence.

Lifestyle audits raise more concerns

Cameron further raised concerns about checks on senior police officials.

Evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission reportedly showed that only five of 823 senior SAPS officers underwent lifestyle audits during the 2024/25 financial year.

He called for broader integrity, lifestyle and competency audits to determine whether senior officials are qualified and delivering value.

Cameron argued that removing unsuitable or underperforming officials would be an important step towards rebuilding an effective police service.