Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Vincent Cruywagen
Published on 2024-04-13 19:57:31
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has come under scrutiny for its excessive spending on VIP protection without conducting a security risk assessment, which is a requirement for providing VIP protection services. This revelation was brought to light by Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the Johannesburg DA caucus leader, during an interview with Daily Maverick. She raised concerns about the negative impact of assigning an increasing number of police officers to VIP services, affecting visible policing and crime-fighting efforts in Joburg and across the country.
The revised policy, known as the Protection and Security for VIP Risk Management System, falls under the Johannesburg public safety department, headed by Mgcini Tshwaku of the EFF. Kayser-Echeozonjoku criticized the CoJ for adjusting VIP spending without transparency on funding sources and highlighted the lack of security risk assessments conducted. She emphasized that the DA’s approach to VIP protection was based on specific safety risks, unlike the current blanket protection provided to politicians.
The DA opposed the CoJ’s decision to spend R3 million a month on VIP protection, allocating 40 cars from the JMPD fleet to politicians for their security needs. This move raised concerns about the prioritization of VIP protection over essential services like water shortages, power cuts, and high crime rates in the city. Executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda of the Al Jama-ah party was allocated 10 bodyguards and a convoy of three cars, a stark comparison to previous mayors’ protection.
Anti-crime activists and organizations like Outa and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) condemned the excessive spending on VIP protection, highlighting the need for more resources to combat crime effectively. Imraahn Mukaddam, an anti-crime activist from Cape Town, criticized the disproportionate value placed on politicians’ lives compared to ordinary citizens and the lack of support for community crime-fighters. He stressed the need for funds to be allocated more effectively towards enhancing service delivery and crime prevention.
The absence of proper resources and personnel in law enforcement agencies like the Hawks and SAPS was highlighted, with concerns raised about police corruption and collusion with criminals. The inefficiency of VIP protection units and the lack of data-driven intelligence for security decision-making were also highlighted by experts like Willem Els from the ISS. There were calls for a review of VIP protection spending and for funds to be redirected towards improving safety and security for all citizens.
The debate around VIP protection spending and its impact on essential services and crime-fighting efforts continues to raise questions about the allocation of resources and the priorities of government authorities. As concerns grow about the effectiveness of VIP protection measures and their implications for public safety, there is a growing call for more transparency, accountability, and a reassessment of funding priorities in the realm of security and protection services.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
