The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is deeply concerned about the failure of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) to meet its income targets, as clearly evident in the latest unaudited financial and performance results report for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
According to the report, the EMPD set a target of more than R203 million for fines and forfeitures, but only approximately R9,9 million was collected, leaving a shortfall of over R193 million for the quarter.
Considered on an annual basis, the Department has already fallen short by R367 million (or 45%) of its annual income target of R812 million.
Several factors contribute to this underperformance, as highlighted during a recent meeting of the Community Safety Oversight Committee:
• Severe staff shortages crippling law enforcement and administration.
• Cancellation of tenders and delays in procurement affecting essential equipment and vehicle maintenance.
• Late payments and budget delays hampering service delivery and enforceability.
This financial shortfall has a detrimental impact on road safety, law enforcement and the Metro’s ability to fund basic community safety initiatives.
The Freedom Front Plus insists that the Metro explain its failure to collect hundreds of millions of rand in fines.
These funds should be used for policing, equipment and community protection, and cannot be lost due to inefficiency and mismanagement.
The Freedom Front Plus will closely monitor the situation through the Council’s oversight processes and will keep residents informed of any recovery efforts or progress.
