The Busisiwe Mkhwebane Foundation (BMF) has formally demanded that Acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, disclose details regarding the reported diversion of R600 million from local police stations and community policing to fund security operations for the 30 June 2026 protest. This redirection has raised critical constitutional, legal, and financial concerns regarding the use of limited public safety resources.
Impact on frontline policing
In its correspondence, the BMF asserts that South Africans deserve transparency, particularly when critical resources are withdrawn from frontline policing. The organisation highlights that this redirection occurs while communities are grappling with severe threats, including violent crime, drug-related issues, human trafficking, extortion, the proliferation of illegal firearms, and decaying police infrastructure.
Consequently, the BMF questions the government's priorities, suggesting that these funds should be utilised to bolster local capacity rather than funding security measures for the scheduled protest.
Constitutional and legal obligations
By referencing the Constitution and the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), the BMF underscores the government's duty to uphold transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public resources. The organisation argues that public funds must not be treated as private property and that taxpayers have a fundamental right to know how their money is spent.
The BMF reminds the Minister that he is legally bound by constitutional provisions to ensure fiscal responsibility and to provide regular reports to Parliament on matters under his control.
Specific demands for disclosure
To address these concerns, the BMF has formally requested a series of disclosures from the Minister. These demands include the official authorisation for the R600 million diversion, identification of the affected budget programmes, a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be utilised, and copies of any intelligence or risk assessments justifying the expenditure.
Additionally, the BMF is seeking clarity on the scale of the deployment, whether the National Treasury and Parliament were consulted, and the potential negative impact on the maintenance and development of police stations and community policing forums.
Potential legal recourse
As the 30 June date nears, the BMF has warned that failure to provide the requested information within the legally prescribed period will result in further action. The organisation is prepared to initiate formal PAIA proceedings, lodge complaints with the Public Protector and the Auditor-General, engage in parliamentary oversight processes, and approach the High Court to compel disclosure. The BMF concludes by emphasising that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable constitutional obligations required to maintain public trust.