R8.89 MILLION FOR POLITICAL ELITES. NO RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME. South African taxpayers have footed a staggering R8.89 million bill for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's remuneration, legal fees and the salary of his acting replacement, while Mchunu remains on special leave amid serious allegations of political interference and corruption. Meanwhile, ordinary South Africans are repeatedly told there aren't enough resources to fight crime. - Almost 7,000 SAPS vehicles are out of service. - Detectives overwhelmed with hundreds of case dockets each. - Critical shortages of specialised detectives investigating crimes against women and children. - Serious shortcomings at GBV desks, including inadequate staffing, training and privacy. - Shortages of rape evidence and forensic collection kits. - 300,000 DNA exhibits backlogged in South Africa's forensic system. - Forensic laboratories plagued by delays, equipment shortages and wasted expenditure. - Police stations deteriorating and officers lacking basic equipment, including computers and stationery. - Murder investigations stalled, leaving victims' families without justice. Yet there is money for two police ministers, millions in legal fees and a minister who continues to draw a salary while not performing his duties. This is not simply a question of insufficient resources. It is a question of priorities. Government seems more committed to protecting the political elite than protecting the people it is supposed to serve. Action Society calls for an end to this abuse of taxpayers' money. Ministers should not be allowed to remain on paid leave indefinitely, and the public should not automatically be expected to bankroll their legal battles. Every rand wasted protecting political careers is a rand that could have been spent protecting victims, investigating crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. South Africans deserve a government that serves the people, not the politicians.