Community Safety
With regard to the establishment of K9 units in the province:
(1) (a) What (i) is the number and (ii) are the details of these units that have been established, (b) what criteria are used to identify municipalities where these units are deployed, (c) how many are deployed in the entry points, such as the Southern Cape, Beaufort West and Laingsburg, (d) what is the number of K9 dogs that are deployed in each municipality and (e) what is the (i) total cost for each unit, (ii) price per dog and (ii) other related expenditure to maintain the wellbeing and training of K9 dogs;
(2) whether the K9 dogs in all municipalities are owned by government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether K9 dogs are rented from private service providers; if so, (a) what are the relevant details, (b) what is the rental cost per dog and (c) what are the reasons for renting the dogs?
[1] [a] [i] The Department of Community Safety launched two [2] newly trained K9 Units in the Overberg and West Coast Regions and is currently in the process of establishing a unit in Mossel Bay.
[ii] A fully established K9 unit in the Overstrand Municipality and in the Swartland Municipality and one K9 unit in the process of being established in the Mossel Bay Municipality.
[b] Establishment of K9 units with Local Municipalities is a partnership between Local and Provincial Government, funding is provided by both partners. These Local Municipalities should have the necessary infrastructure, resources [human & equipment] available to strengthen and support the establishment of these units. Focus is also placed on existing routes [main roads] and entry and exit points around the Local Municipalities. The provincial highways [N7, R27, N1 and N2] and many of its coastal towns, are particularly affected by trade and transportation of illicit substances due to it being a national road leading to the South African border [entry & exit points]
[c] Currently there are no existing or pending units being established in the Beaufort West/Laingsburg area. The South African Police Services [SAPS] has an existing dog unit in Beaufort West which currently supports this area.
[d] Overstrand Municipality: 6 dogs
Swartland Municipality: 8 dogs
[e] [i] Overstrand Municipality – Running costs per financial year:
R2,2m = DoCS contribution
R2,3m = Municipality contribution
R4.5m in total to ensure the fully functional K9 unit.
Swartland Municipality – Running costs per financial year:
R2,2m = DoCS contribution
R3.1m = Municipality contribution
R5,3m in total to ensure the fully functional K9 unit.
[ii] & [iii]
|
Per Annum Per Dog |
Overstrand Municipality |
Swartland Municipality |
|
|
6 dogs [owned] |
8 dogs [rented] |
|
Dog costs |
*R112 000 |
Rental cost inclusive of these operational costs |
|
Building of kennels [infrastructure] |
*R58 300 |
|
|
Dog Food |
R21 600 |
|
|
Veterinary Services & Vaccinations/Deworming |
R20 000 |
|
|
Kennel Hand |
R5 000 |
|
|
Welfare Co Ordinate Administrative |
R5 000 |
|
|
K9 Instructions |
R18 300 |
|
|
Total costs per dog per annum |
R240 200 |
R340 500 |
|
Total Cost Per Annum |
R1 441 200 |
R2 724 000 |
* Once off costs
[2] The K9 dogs are owned by the Local Authority, except for Swartland Municipality that rent the dogs. This partnership is funded by both partners and ownership remains with the Local Authority.
[3] [a] Swartland Municipality rents the K9 dogs through a service provider, Dogs and All, who were awarded a 3-year tender. This service provider was sourced through the tender process in line with the Municipal Finance Management Act.
[b] Cost per dog is reflected in the table above.
[c] The Swartland Municipality opted for the renting of dogs for the following reasons:
- To minimise capital cost relating to new infrastructure.
- The Municipality does not have a suitable piece of land to house the dogs.
It is the responsibility of the service provider to replace a dog in the event of illness, death or the dog being inadequately trained.
