R171m spent on VIP protection over five years

TAXPAYERS have forked out a staggering R171 million over the past five years for the protection of VIPs such as speakers of legislatures, members of the judiciary, and “individuals of strategic importance to the country”.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This is in addition to the R1.31 billion the taxpayers footed for the bill for the protection and security of President Cyril Ramaphosa and members of his Cabinet over the same period.

This was disclosed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu when he was responding to parliamentary questions from Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana.

Gana wanted to know the category of persons that received VIP protection services other than the members of the executive and the diplomatic corps, as well as the costs incurred for each category over the past five years.

In his written reply, Mchunu said there were three categories of people who received protection services from the state.

One category included the speakers and deputy speakers of Parliament and provincial legislatures, the chairperson, and deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.