Geordin Hill-Lewis introduces plan to devolve R1 billion in police funding immediately
27 October 2021
Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Geordin Hill-Lewis. Pictures can be downloaded here, here, here, here and here.
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a plan to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and the National Treasury that has the potential to revolutionise policing in Cape Town by bringing well-run law enforcement closer to the people.
In my current capacity as Shadow Minister of Finance, I have formally requested the National Treasury to create a brand-new municipal grant, financed out of the current VIP protection budget, to fund enhanced powers for local law enforcement and metro police forces in cities that have demonstrated that they have the capacity to run their own law enforcement operations.
The DA has consistently called for the R1.7 billion VIP protection budget to be slashed by at least half. South African taxpayers are currently forced to spend R8 million on bodyguards, weapons and equipment for each of the 209 so-called VIPs receiving personal protection. Under my proposed plan, R1 billion out of this R1.7 billion will be completely devolved away from VIP protection into the hands of competent metros, so that we can protect residents rather than politicians without costing taxpayers a cent in additional taxes.