In a significant development for public sector digital reform, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has granted the South African Police Service (SAPS) an exemption from using the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) for its ICT services. The decision paves the way for SAPS to pursue independent procurement of technology infrastructure, marking a major step toward modernizing its policing capabilities.
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Billy Mzamo revealed the exemption during a parliamentary session on Thursday, 16 October 2025, citing an announcement made by Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshiela.
“The South African Police Service has officially served its divorce papers to the State IT Agency,” Mzamo stated, adding that this separation ends SAPS’s reliance on what he described as “outdated systems” that have hampered innovation and slowed operational responsiveness.
Mzamo hailed the decision as a victory not only for the DA’s longstanding oversight but for South Africans in general. He reiterated the party’s criticism of SITA, calling it a “digital bottleneck” and a barrier to efficient, modern governance. “This confirmation is not just a win for the DA, but more importantly, a win for every South African who relies on a capable and responsive police service,” Mzamo said.
He also referenced Boshiela’s recent visit to China with an official delegation, where she was introduced to advanced policing technologies such as smart surveillance, integrated case-tracking, and data-driven law enforcement tools. Mzamo said the visit highlighted how far behind South Africa is in adopting next-generation policing solutions.
The DA is now urging Police Minister Bheki Cele to ensure the transition to a new ICT provider is transparent, free from corruption, and focused squarely on improving service delivery.
SITA, however, appears to be in the dark about the SAPS’s decision. Speaking to Newsday, SITA’s head of corporate affairs, Tlali Tlali, said the agency has not been officially informed of any changes. “We believe and remain confident that the established communication protocols will be followed, especially for decisions that carry significant operational, financial, and legal implications,” said Tlali.
He pushed back against Mzamo’s criticisms, saying it is “unfair and arguable” to blame SITA for outdated systems, noting that decisions about system upgrades lie with the client—in this case, SAPS.
SAPS is now the second national department to receive exemption from SITA, following the Department of Home Affairs, which filed a similar request in April 2025. Home Affairs blamed SITA for ongoing digital infrastructure failures that impacted major national security projects such as the Biometric Movement Control System and the Automatic Biometric Information System.
Home Affairs further criticized SITA’s handling of third-party contracts with providers like BCX and Telkom, saying these inefficiencies compromised both service delivery and national security.
In response, SITA argued that Home Affairs only sources about 20% of its ICT services through the agency and maintained that it had fulfilled all agreed-upon deliverables, despite budget constraints and delays largely outside its control.
The recent wave of exemptions follows regulatory changes introduced by Communications Minister Solly Malatsi in May 2025. Working in consultation with Finance Minister Godongwana, Malatsi amended existing SITA regulations to include an “Efficiency of Procurement” clause, enabling departments to bypass the agency under certain conditions.
Under the new framework, government departments must submit a formal notice to SITA, detailing their ICT needs and business case. SITA then has ten working days to respond with a procurement plan and cost estimate. If the agency fails to respond in time, cannot meet the request, or if the department demonstrates a more efficient or cost-effective procurement alternative, it may proceed independently.
The SAPS exemption reflects a growing trend in the public sector to seek greater autonomy and agility in ICT procurement. While SITA remains a key player in state technology services, the recent regulatory changes signal a shift toward decentralization and performance-based accountability in the digital governance landscape.
As the SAPS now moves forward with new technology partners, the focus will be on ensuring that this transition not only enhances policing capabilities but also adheres to high standards of transparency and efficiency.
Main Image: Newsday
