Implementation of demand management in the South African Police Service: a selected case

Abstract

Quantitative and qualitative research methods, which are descriptive in nature, were employed in this study to investigate the ineffective and insufficient implementation of policies, procedures and processes of supply chain management and demand management. This topic was explored with particular reference to the Immovable Asset Management Component of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Data were gathered from managers and officials responsible for demand management in the SAPS through personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The collected raw data were analysed through the identification of key themes and the use of statistical methods and graphs. The findings revealed that the SAPS does not set realistic timelines and does not budget for all identified needs relating to immovable assets. End-user demands are subsequently not met. It was found that non-compliance with statutory requirements leads to inadequate implementation of generally accepted principles of supply chain management. It was also established that the SAPS does not have the capacity to fulfil its facility management needs. Importantly, there is a shortage of appropriately qualified technical officials. In addition, it was found that the commitment and accountability of officials involved in the implementation of demand management may be enhanced by creating a better common understanding of the meaning of demand management policies and procedures. Consequently, recommendations were made on how to strengthen demand management within the supply chain of the SAPS. The study therefore contributes to the effective implementation of demand management in public administration in South Africa, particularly at the SAPS.

Izindlela zocwaningo ezencike kumanani nakwizinga lengxoxo (Quantitative and qualitative research methods), okuyizindlela ezichaza ngokwezimpawu, zisetshenzisiwe kulolu cwaningo ukuphenya ngokungasetshenziswa ngokwanele kwemigomo, kwezingqubo nangokwezinhlelo zokuphathwa kochungechunge lwemisebenzi yokukhiqiza (supply chain) kanye nokuphathwa kwezinga lemikhiqizo efunekayo. Isihloko siye sahlolwa ngokubhekisisa kakhulu kohlelo Lwesigaba Sokuphathwa Kwempahla Engahambi/engagudluki Yophiko Lwezesiphoyisa (Immovable Asset Management Component of the South African Police Service) (SAPS). Idatha yaqoqwa kubaphathi kanye nkubasebenzi ababhekene nokuphathwa kwezinga lomkhiqizo ofunekayo ophikweni lwe-SAPS ngokusebenzisa izinhlolovo kubantu kanye nemibhalo equkethe imibuzo (self-administered questionnaires). Idatha eqoqiwe eluhlaza engekasetshenzwa yahlaziywa ngokwehlukanisa izindikimba ezibalulekile kanye nokusetshenziswa kwezindlela zamanani kanye negilafu (statistical methods and graphs). Ulwazi olutholakele lukhombise ukuthi uphiko lwe-SAPS alubeki uhlelo lwezikhathi zoqobo futhi lolu hlelo alwenzi ibhajethi lazo zonke izidingo ezimayelana nezimpahla ezingahambi/ezingagudluki. Izimfuno zabasebenzisi bokugcina bomkhiqizo azifinyeleleki. Kutholakele ukuthi ukungalandelwa kwezimfuno zomthetho kuholele kwizinga lokusetshenziswa ngokungagculisi kwemigomo eyamukelwa uwonkewonke yokuphathwa kohlelo lochungechunge lwemisebenzi yokukhiqiza. Kuye kwatholakala ukuthi uphiko lwe-SAPS alunamandla okufeza izidingo zalo zokuphathwa kwezinhlaka zokusebenza. Okubalulekile, kunokusweleka kothisha kanye nabasebenzi abanekhono elifanele lesithekhinikhali. Ngaphezu kwalokhu, kutholakele ukuthi ukusebenza ngokuzibophelela nangokuziphendulela kwabasebenzi kubandakanye ukusetshenziswa kohlelo lokufuneka kwempahla kungaqiniswa ngokwakha ukuzwisisana okungcono okuchaza imigomo kanye nezingqubo zokuphathwa kwezinga lempahla edingekayo. Okokugcina, kuye kwenziwa izincomo mayelana nokuthi amaxhama ezinga lokufuneka kwempahla ngaphakathi kohlelo lochungechunge lwemisebenzi yokukhiqiza ophikweni lwe-SAPS. Ngalokho-ke ucwaningo lufake igalelo ekusetshenzisweni kahle kohlelo lokuphathwa kwezinga lokufuneka kwempahla ohlelweni lokulawulwa kwezinhlaka zombuso eNingizimu Afrika, ikakhulukazi ophikweni lwe-SAPS.