SA Police committee seeks explanation for crime intelligence unit’s property acquisition amid concerns over resource management.

The parliamentary police committee has called for an urgent explanation regarding the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) crime intelligence unit’s controversial R25 million hotel purchase in Pretoria.

The acquisition of the Pretoria hotel has sparked debate about financial management within the unit, which operates on a budget of nearly R5 billion.

Committee chairperson Ian Cameron has also demanded a skills audit of the intelligence unit, citing ongoing concerns about its operational effectiveness and resource allocation.

“Crime intelligence is a really good place to start with that,” Cameron said, referring to Parliament’s earlier agreement on the need for a skills audit within SAPS senior management.

Parliamentary committees are scheduled to reconvene in early February to further discuss these concerns and the unit’s financial management.