R171 million spent by taxpayers 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”.

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.

At least 22 persons were provided protection in this category over the past five years.

“The total expenditure incurred by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Protection and Security Services was R71,265,744.00, excluding basic compensation of SAPS Close Protection Officers, travel expenditure.

“Vehicles for protection services are provided by the respective departments,” he said.

Mchunu also said the second category were members of the judiciary that included the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge Presidents.

A total of 14 judges were protected during the last five years.

The costs incurred for their protection came to the tune of R45,350,928.00.

The salaries of their protectors, travel, and vehicles were provided by the respective departments.

The minister added that the third category was Ad-Hoc VIPs, who are individuals of strategic importance to the country and are protected based on a positive threat against their physical security as confirmed by the intelligence community.

“The protection of Ad-Hoc VIPs is temporary in nature and is withdrawn as soon as the threat against their lives has subsided or eliminated.”

Mchunu said 82 people were provided this type of protection during the period between 2020/21 and 2024/25.

“The total expenditure incurred by the SAPS was R53,125,372.80,” he said.

Mchunu explained that premiers, their executive council, and the judiciary were protected in terms of the mandate that is extended to SAPS.

He also said the ad-hoc protection of VIPs was provided on a threat and risk basis.

Earlier this year, Mchunu revealed that R1.31 billion was spent by the SAPS on the protection of the executive over the past five years.

“The budget and expenditure for the rendering of protection and security services by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the executive are managed as a national budget and, unfortunately, not per member of the executive,” he said at the time.

Mchunu was responding to ActionSA MP Dereleen James when she enquired about the cost his department incurred for each member of the executive.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za