Taxpayers Paid Over R1 Billion in 5 Years for Public Office Bearers’ VIP Protection Services
- More than R1 billion has been spent keeping public servants, including ministers, members of legislatures, and executive members, safe
- The VIP protection services for South Africa's public officers have cost the taxpayers R171 million for the past five years
- This is in addition to he over R1 billion that is spent for the protection of President Cyril Ramaphosa, ministers, and deputy ministers
With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.
Source: Getty Images
JOHANNESBURG — The South African government spent almost R2 billion on VIPP protection services for public servants from President Cyril Ramaphosa to members of provincial legislatures.
Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on special leave as the minister of police, responded to a question Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana asked in Parliament. Gana asked how much was spent on protection services for the different categories of public officers.
In response, Mchunu said that R1.31 billion was spent on President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and members of his cabinet, including ministers and deputy ministers. Mchunu said that VIP protection services are paid for three categories of public office bearers outside of Ramaphosa and his cabinet.
PAY ATTENTION: Briefly News is now on YouTube! Check out our interviews on Briefly TV Life now!
3 categories of protected office bearers
The first category is of the Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament and provincial legislatures, and the National Council of Provinces chairperson and deputy chairperson. The government spent R71,265,744 protecting them.
A total of R45,350,928 was spent for the VIP protection of 14 office bearers in the second category of members, including the Chief and Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge Presidents. The third category was of individuals of strategic importance to the country. The state spent R53,125,372 protecting 82 people.
Source: Getty Images
Stories about VIP Protection Unit
In 2024, activists slammed the government's decision to give the VIP Protection Unit R600 million in additional funding. They slammed the government's prioritising of protection services over gender-based violence, which did not receive anything.
Mashatile's VIP Protection Unit was acquitted of wrongdoing by the South African Police Services in May 2025. This was after they were filmed assaulting a member of the public in July 2023. The five officers faced 12 charges, including malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Ian Cameron said that their acquittal was an insult to victims and a warning that police brutality will be protected behind closed doors.
Court rules against Johannesburg VIP protection
In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Democratic Alliance welcomed a ruling by the South Gauteng High Court on 2 January. The court declared that the City of Johannesburg's VIP Protection policy for the mayor and speaker of the council was unlawful.
The court suspended the judgment to allow the City to provide evidence to justify allocating 10 bodyguards to the mayor, Dada Morero, and eight bodyguards to the speaker.
Source: Briefly News
