SA’s blue-light spending spree on political VIPs ‘is jeopardising visible policing and crime-fighting’

SA’s blue-light spending spree on political VIPs ‘is jeopardising visible policing and crime-fighting’

Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the Jo­­han­­­nesburg DA caucus leader, dropped this bombshell during an interview with Daily Maverick in which she outlined why her party’s caucus voted against the exorbitant expanded protection services. “We were in possession and saw something circulating one of my groups. We have seen the letter that the Speaker of council had been informed that they are in violation of the upper limits.

She also stated that, though the VIP protection policy provides for the city manager to be protected, the DA, when it was the party in government, had only provided him with protection after there had been a safety risk. A group of people stormed into his office, which prompted an assessment that concluded he needed protection.The DA further contended that there is an existing councillor protection policy that covers councillors outside the executive.

“It is unacceptable that people like the Hawks don’t have the budget, yet politicians have bodyguards. Money should be spent on service delivery and not on politicians who want to look fancy and run away from the people who elected them.”Outa expressed concerns about VIP protection training and execution. Its spokesperson, Wayne Duvenage, referred to the viral video in which Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit was captured punching and kicking four occupants of a car.

Executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda of the three-seat Al Jama-ah party will have 10 bodyguards, five per shift, from the JMPD and three cars in his convoy. Daily Maverick understands a total of eight cars from the JMPD fleet are allocated to him. Upon learning about the budget for VIP protection services, Imraahn Mukaddam, an anti-crime activist and spokesperson for the Elsies River Community Policing Forum in Cape Town, was outraged.

“We are doing it as volunteers with no expectation of remuneration, but we are also putting ourselves at risk. It demonstrates where the priorities lie from our perspective as community crime-fighters. We are in the same space but we are not recognised, and there is no cover for us,” he emphasised.

Source: Car News Wire (carnewswire.net)

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Outgunned JMPD officers lack serious firepower in effort to tackle crime in Joburg CBDWATCH | Outgunned JMPD officers lack serious firepower in effort to tackle crime in Joburg CBD
Source: News24 - 🏆 4. / 80 Read more »

Joburg residents must update prepaid meters themselves as City Power bungles projectJoburg residents must update prepaid meters themselves as City Power bungles project
Source: News24 - 🏆 4. / 80 Read more »

Usindiso fire inquiry: City of Joburg should be held liable for 76 deaths, say rights groupsUsindiso fire inquiry: City of Joburg should be held liable for 76 deaths, say rights groups
Source: News24 - 🏆 4. / 80 Read more »

City of Joburg appoints expert to probe spy claimsJoburg council speaker announces new investigation into claims of spy equipment in the City of Johannesburg
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

'No sleep for us when it rains': Joburg informal settlement residents feel 'forgotten'ON THE ROAD | 'No sleep for us when it rains': Joburg informal settlement residents feel 'forgotten'
Source: News24 - 🏆 4. / 80 Read more »

Infrastructure issues, water woes give Joburg MMC sleepless nights, grey hairsInfrastructure issues, water woes give Joburg MMC sleepless nights, grey hairs
Source: News24 - 🏆 4. / 80 Read more »