Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. Picture: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
A staggering R360 million has been spent on overtime for the SA Police Service’s (SAPS) VIP Protection Unit over the past two financial years.
This has sparked concerns that politicians’ safety was being prioritised over public safety.
According to Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, the unit, tasked with protecting ministers and deputy ministers, racked up R198 045 844 in overtime pay in 2022/23 and R161 885 074 in 2023/24.
The exorbitant overtime bill has been attributed to the extraordinary working hours of close protection officers, who claim 100 hours of overtime per month.
With the number of “VIPs” increasing, the SAPS VIP Protection Unit’s overtime costs were expected to skyrocket during the current term of office.
RISE Mzansi MP and National Assembly Caucus whip, Makashule Gana, called on Mchunu to collaborate with his colleagues in Public Service and Administration and Treasury to develop a remuneration model that does not rely on overtime.
Gana emphasised that the primary role of the state and SAPS was to ensure public safety, yet resources seem to be allocated toward protecting politicians instead.
The revelation has raised questions about the allocation of resources and priorities in the SAPS.
Gana stressed: “The primary role of the state and the SAPS is to keep the people of SA safe... However, it seems keeping politicians safe is prioritised at the expense of keeping the people safe.”
Gana criticised the allocation of R2 billion for VIP protection in Mchunu’s 2024/25 budget and continued: “We are not safe, you are also not safe... Why do we want to spend R4 billion to protect politicians? Do we need so many bodyguards?”
The party’s leader Songezo Zibi is the chairperson of the Standing Committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA).
In response to Parliament, Mchunu assured that the safety of the South African people was the number one priority.
The Star
mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za