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The response, to a question in Parliament to the Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko about the remuneration and benefits for members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), is of concern. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) asked the Minister whether all police officers are eligible for an on-duty death benefit from the day of the assumption of service.

The Minister confirmed that the payment of a death grant, to the deceased’s dependants may be considered, if an employee died while on duty; or died in any extraordinary circumstances related to his/her duties or as a result of his/her duties, whether the employee was on or off duty.

What is however of great concern is that the payment of a death grant is not a benefit, but a discretionary, and taxable, payment which is the exclusive prerogative of the National Police Commissioner.

Poor employee morale has for years been a problem for the police and if not confronted and corrected, will continue to threaten productivity, discipline, as well as the integrity of SAPS.

Having the so-called “death grant” as a discretionary benefit, has a negative effect on the morale of our policemen and women as they perform their duties without the assurance that their families would be taken care of should they make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The UDM therefore calls on the powers that be, that Policy No. 5 of 2016: Policy on Death Grant for Employees of the SAPS should be urgently reviewed so that the death grant may become a certainty.

We do however welcome that the amount, which has never been reviewed since 2001, is currently on the agenda of the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council, for review.

Issued by UDM